Jannik Sinner returned to world number one after defeating Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the Monte Carlo Masters final.
Sinner coped with Monaco’s strong winds better than his rival Alcaraz, winning 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 and snatching the coveted top spot in the ATP Rankings from Alcaraz for the first time since November 2025.
The match fell short of the dizzying heights achieved by two of tennis’ best players last year, but it had twists and turns as Sinner looked to reverse a second-set deficit and protect his position as world No. 1 ahead of next month’s French Open.
This is Sinner’s first victory over Alcaraz on clay since 2022, and he continues his incredible 22-game unbeaten streak at the Masters Tournament, a level below the Grand Slam.
“The result is great. It means a lot to me to be back in first place,” said Sinner, who joins Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic as the only men to win four consecutive ATP 1000 titles.
“At the same time, the rankings are secondary. I’m very happy to win at least one big trophy on this surface. I’ve never won it before, so it means a lot to me.”
“What you are accomplishing now is amazing. To win the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami Open) and Monte Carlo is unbelievable. Congratulations on the work you have done as a team,” Alcaraz told Sinner.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz embrace after the Monte Carlo Masters final
How did the sinners defeat Alcaraz?
The 17th professional showdown between two of tennis’ current superstars will not be remembered as a classic as both players struggled in windy and cloudy skies.
Alcaraz immediately beat Sinner and jumped out of the blocks, but Sinner was forced back to 2-2. Despite Sinner having break point opportunities in the fifth and ninth games, neither player was able to raise their level enough to break each other for the rest of the close first set.
Leading 6-5, Alcaraz was within two points of the set, but a big serve from Sinner saved the day and he made the crucial first break in the tiebreaker. He missed his first set point chance, but Alcaraz’s double fault after 74 minutes handed the first set to Sinner.
Jannik Sinner achieves 22 consecutive wins at ATP1000 level
Alcaraz appeared to be heading for a comeback when he broke early in the second set. However, the Australian Open champion struggled to hold serve and inevitably Sinner took advantage of some mistakes by Alcaraz to get it back to 3-3.
Despite Alcaraz’s growing frustration, Sinner continued to win the next three matches, ultimately taking advantage of fluctuations in his opponent’s play to win his first Monte Carlo Masters title.
Alcaraz and Sinner will decide whether to play again this week in Barcelona, where Britain’s Jack Draper will be playing, before the start of the ATP 1000 tournament in Madrid and Rome in the run-up to the French Open at the end of May.
Andreeva wins Linz Open
Mila Andreeva won the Linz Open on Sunday with a 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Anastasia Potapova.
The Russian had to come back from a set down to win her second WTA title and the fourth of her career.
“I worked very hard to find a solution to face you today. You are a great fighter and an even better human being,” Andreeva told Potapova at the presentation ceremony.
In December, 25-year-old Potapova switched allegiance to Austria. She said: “Being the first Austrian to play here means the world to me.
“I had all the support from the crowd this week, something I’ve never had before in my life. I’m so grateful.”
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