It’s the dream final, the one everyone was waiting for, yet another chapter in a challenge destined to last a long time. Carlos Alcaraz against Jannik Sinner, in strict world ranking order: the two rivals, respectively number 1 and 2 in the ATP ranking, will also face it tomorrow for the scepter of the “Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters”, the third “1000” of the season, the first on the “red”, with a total prize money of 6,309,095 euros. And as often happens when the two “titans” of the racket clash, there is much more up for grabs, precisely that world “crown” which is currently on Alcaraz’s head but which could end up on Sinner’s if the blue manages to impose itself. The 24-year-old champion from South Tyrol, fresh from the Sunshine Double, the double achieved in the US Masters 1000 in March on the hard courts of Indian Wells and Miami, was the first to take the pass for the final act. Giving way to him was the German Alexander Zverev, n.3 ATP and third seeding force, liquidated in two sets with the score of 6-1 6-4, gained in an hour and 22 minutes of play.
This is the first final on clay in the Principality for the talent from Sesto Pusteria, who had lost the two previous semi-finals in 2023 (against Rune) and 2024 (against Tsitsipas). “I’m very happy, we arrived here looking for answers. Every day, every match is different but today I felt very solid from the start. And when you’re ahead by an immediate break, this changes the inertia of the match”, Sinner’s first words after the victory. “Mine was a very solid performance, I tried to set up the game as I wanted. Tomorrow we will try to do the best possible”, added Sinner, who was already hoping for a rustic duel with Alcaraz: “If he wins? I can’t wait, it’s the reason why I train and prepare. Having a match before Roland Garros against him helps me, I have nothing to lose”. Satisfied. Because the Spaniard, reigning champion after defeating Lorenzo Musetti in 2025, put an end to the dreams of glory of the Monegasque and “host” Valentin Vacherot, number 23 in the world, 6-4 6-4.
The match was never in doubt and, therefore, the second final in a row for the 22-year-old from Murcia in the Principality. This will be the 17th match between Sinner and Alcaraz, with the Spaniard ahead 10-6 in the previous matches. On clay it will be the fifth match, with Alcaraz leading 3-1. Sinner won the first match in the final in Umag in 2022, Alcaraz then beat the Italian in the semi-final of Roland Garros 2024, in the final of last year’s Internazionali d’Italia and in the final of Roland Garros 2025, the one of the famous three match points missed by the South Tyrolean. All the more reason for the blue to try and give back while waiting for the great rematch under the Eiffel Tower.