Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz LIVE! Result, score and reaction as Spaniard wins Italian Open final

Sinner vs Alcaraz - LIVE!

Jannik Sinner visited with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV last week, but was without a prayer as he fell to Carlos Alcaraz in the Italian Open final on Sunday, losing 6-7 1-6. Playing his first tournament since serving a three-month anti-doping ban, the home favourite and world No1 Sinner had cruised to the final and remained in contention throughout a tight first set, but was denied a tournament win in front of the adoring home fans.

Alcaraz came out on top in the first set by the narrowest of margins in the tiebreak, and carried that momentum into the second. He stormed to a two-break lead early on, Sinner failing to hold his serve until it was already far too late. The Spaniard confirmed his first Italian Open title at the first time of asking, converting his service game to secure victory.

Playing in his home tournament, Sinner was presented the chance to become the first Italian man win in Rome since Adriano Panatta in 1976, but that long wait for tennis to come home has been extended by another year. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!

Sinner vs Alcaraz latest news

• Alcaraz wins in straight sets
• Sinner's deficit doubles
• Alcaraz up a break in second set
• Alcaraz claims first set after tiebreak
• Match start
• How to watch: Sky Sports

What next?

18:46 , Arthur Ferridge

Carlos Alcaraz said he is set to take a few days off before he gets into his Roland Garros preparations, with the tournament now just over a week away.

He will celebrate the Italian Open title with his family and friends, who were in Rome to watch his triumph over Sinner.

Alcaraz relishes his victory

18:34

Alcaraz is already looking ahead to Roland Garros after triumphing in Rome.

He said:

“I am just really happy to get my first Rome. I am hoping it will not be the last one,” said the Spaniard. “All eyes are on Paris now.

“Everyone is really focused. Beating Jannik, a win in Rome, both things mixed together give you a great confidence ahead of Paris.

“It is not about just playing in finals, it is about winning. I repeat that to myself.”

“This tournament is really really beautiful.”

Sinner (6-7) 1-5 Alcaraz*

18:09

Sinner has it all to do here. Can he stay in this match with his first break of the afternoon?

Alcaraz has rather cruised in this last game, though. He has two break points.

Sinner rescues the first, playing his lob just high enough that Alcaraz cannot reach it, and forces deuce with the next as he looks to blow air on the dying embers of his Italian Open campaign.

But even that is not enough - Alcaraz takes the first advantage and converts one match point to become the Italian Open champion.

*Sinner (6-7) 1-5 Alcaraz

18:07

Sinner serves to survive, and he gives one last rallying cry as he holds to love.

Now, though, Alcaraz serves for the match.

Sinner (6-7) 0-5 Alcaraz*

18:04

Despite the grim forecast, Sinner is continuing to fight.

He has won just seven of the last 27 points, though, and looks to be fading as Alcaraz goes through the gears.

Another win for Alcaraz, and he is one more break away from a landmark win.

*Sinner (6-7) 0-4 Alcaraz

17:57 , Arthur Ferridge

A loss for Sinner here would all but condemn his Italian Open campaign, but he is ready to battle for it, winning the first point of his serve but allowing Alcaraz back in after a long rally in the second.

And Alcaraz’s grip on the match tightens - Sinner makes another error at the net and hands the Spaniard a brace of break points.

And it is an even bigger blunder from the Italian as Alcaraz breaks - he is offered a chance to smash at the net but mishits his shot into it, rather than over.

Sinner (6-7) 0-3 Alcaraz*

17:54

That is as classy a service game as you will see from Alcaraz.

Professional, efficient, domineering. Sinner looks to be losing the will somewhat.

*Sinner (6-7) 0-2 Alcaraz

17:50

It is Alcaraz’s turn to shape up a break now - Sinner’s shot taps the net and falls short but the Spaniard stretches for it to finish and take a 0-30 lead in the game.

He adds one more to tee up three straight break points.

One is all he needs, though, breaking to love and roaring with pride as he does so. That is a huge moment in this Italian Open final.

Sinner (6-7) 0-1 Alcaraz*

17:43

No rest for the wicked here. The first set lasted well over an hour and we are straight into the second, with Alcaraz serving.

Sinner takes an early thirty-love lead in the game, but Alcaraz battles back with four unanswered before the Italian adds one more to force deuce as he chases a first break of the match.

It will not come, though.

Tiebreak: Sinner 6-7 Alcaraz

17:32

Alcaraz takes an early lead in the tiebreak, winning on Sinner’s first serve and storming to a 3-0 lead.

But naturally, the Italian does not subvert with any ease. He battles back into contention on serve, reducing the deficit to 3-2 before Alcaraz’s double fault again neutralises the game.

Alcaraz is looking the more likely and puts a clinical forehand beyond the Italian to set himself up with two set points.

Sinner stands firm on the first, with some tricky shot placement forcing Alcaraz into an error.

But Alcaraz edges it at the second time of asking - a tight point at the net ends with Sinner caught out and the Spaniard stretching to get one last return over, securing victory in a narrow first set.

Sinner 6-6 Alcaraz*

17:24

Sinner takes an early lead in Alcaraz’s final service game of the first set. He could avoid a tiebreaker if he can scrape a break here.

Another hammer blow gets beyond Alcaraz, and the Italian faces two set points. He fails to convert the first, failing to return the serve, missing wide right on the second to allow Alcaraz back in at deuce.

The Spaniard takes the first advantage in the game, Sinner pulls back to deuce, but misses the key finisher which would have handed him another set point.

But still Alcaraz could not capitalise, offering another unforced error as we return to parity.

Given the professional nature of the earlier games, this one has turned into something of a comedy of errors. Neither man seems able to get it over the line.

Eventually, it is Sinner who makes the bigger stumbles and we will go to a tiebreaker.

*Sinner 6-5 Alcaraz

17:20

For the first time in three games, the serving party drops a point! At last, some variety.

Sinner’s shot went long to take the score to 40-15 and closes out the game on the following point as he puts any distant fears of a break to bed. A tiebreak looms...

Sinner 5-5 Alcaraz*

17:17 , Arthur Ferridge

One would expect that as this match went on, Alcaraz and Sinner would be getting closer to identifying the other’s weaknesses, but if anything, the opposite is true. They are both looking increasingly comfortable.

Alcaraz holds to love again! Matches between these two do tend to feature tiebreakers, so do not be surprised to see another soon enough.

*Sinner 5-4 Alcaraz

17:13 , Arthur Ferridge

Still nothing to separate the sides - Sinner holds to love in short order.

When will the breakthrough come in this first set?

Sinner 4-4 Alcaraz*

17:11

Another routine hold for Alcaraz, who repeats the scoreline of his previous service game as he ties the match up at four apiece.

Save for the one break point we saw a few games back, neither man has looked particularly close to losing a serve.

*Sinner 4-3 Alcaraz

17:03

Another slugfest of a rally sees Alcaraz come out on top - the Spaniard is building momentum as he looks to take the lead in today’s final.

Sinner quells the rebellion, though, with a perfectly placed forehand which lands just barely out of Alcaraz’s reach.

Again the Spaniard edges ahead, again Sinner equalises. These are some long, testing rallies, but the Italian is hanging in there and holds serve.

Sinner 3-3 Alcaraz*

17:01

Alcaraz comes within one of holding serve to love, but after a fantastic rally, Sinner drops a gorgeous drop shot, hit barely a meter over the net with enough backspin to send it back towards its origin after taking a bounce.

The Spaniard does then convert what is probably the most routine game of the match so far on the next point.

*Sinner 3-2 Alcaraz

16:51

Alcaraz looks to have been caught out by Sinner’s volley, squatting low to reach the ball but still overhitting his return to level the score at 30.

And this time it is the Spaniard who pushes Sinner to deuce, the Italian finding the net as he failed to capitalise on a first advantage.

Alcaraz rallies back, though, Sinner ending a long rally as his shot just missed the mark and the call was confirmed after a challenge, but he shoots long on a first break point of the match.

Sinner will not make the same mistake twice. He holds serve.

Sinner 2-2 Alcaraz*

16:44

Alcaraz opens his serve with an uncharacteristic double fault - the second of the match, but his first.

Sinner again looks threatening, or is Alcaraz lacking confidence? He hits a backhand into the net to take the score to 30-30.

But again Sinner rears his head, forcing deuce for the second time in as many service games.

Alcaraz blinks but comes through, holding serve again in spite of his opponent’s show of force.

*Sinner 2-1 Alcaraz

16:41

Some remarkable tennis is being played already here - you can be certain this is going to be a blockbuster tie throughout. Sinner wins an extended, heavy-hitting rally to take a 40-15 lead.

Alcaraz will not go down without a fight, though. He is looking to pick out Sinner’s weaknesses, which are few and far between, and takes one more consolation point before Sinner closes to hold his serve.

Sinner 1-1 Alcaraz*

16:34

The Italian does not take kindly to Alcaraz’s first serve of the evening, hit with impressive intensity. The pace of his service will take some getting used to for Sinner.

He has grown back into the game, though, forcing deuce as he looks for an early break.

Alcaraz takes and converts the first advantage to hold serve.

*Sinner 1-0 Alcaraz

16:30 , Arthur Ferridge

Sinner, the obvious crowd favourite, gets us underway. Alcaraz badly misses his first return, and the Italian takes the first point of the day.

Alcaraz does better with the second point, though, getting himself off the mark after a short rally.

A Sinner double fault then hands Alcaraz his second point of the day, but it is ultimately a routine first game from the World No1, who holds his serve.

Alcaraz wins the toss

16:24

Alcaraz calls heads and the coin lands true.

He opts to receive.

The players are out!

16:24 , Arthur Ferridge

Alcaraz and Sinner arrive at Campo Centrale!

Time now for final preparations ahead of the Italian Open final - up next!

Shaking out ahead of a titanic clash

16:22 , Arthur Ferridge

Sinner and Alcaraz are getting warm ahead of the Italian Open final.

They should be on court and ready to go shortly.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz preparing for their HUGE Italian Open final 👀 pic.twitter.com/LAFdlh4xIs

— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) May 18, 2025

Sinner's fatal flaw?

16:15

This tournament is Jannik Sinner’s first since he returned from a three-month doping ban. His coach Darren Cahill tells Sky Sports that the most obvious sign of rust has been in his focus.

He will not be able to afford a lapse in concentration today - Alcaraz will be more than ready to punish him.

A home champion in the women's bracket

16:09 , Arthur Ferridge

World No6 Jasmine Paolini beat Coco Gauff 6-4 6-2 yesterday to claim the women’s Italian Open title. The Tuscany native became the first Italian woman to win in Rome since Raffaella Reggi in 1985.

Sinner has an even longer duck to break. The last Italian man to triumph here was Adriano Panatta in 1976 - a full 49 years ago.

Campione: Jasmine Paolini (Getty Images)

Sinner matches Murray

16:07 , Arthur Ferridge

Today’s final will be Sinner’s seventh in as many tournaments. The last man to reach seven consecutive finals was Andy Murray in 2016.

The only men to better that run since 1990 are Federer (17), Djokovic (17) and Nadal (9).

Sinner's incredible run

15:57 , Arthur Ferridge

You may be surprised to learn that Jannik Sinner last lost a match since the 2024 China Open final, where he was beaten by Alcaraz.

Since then he has won 26 matches on the trot and reached eight consecutive finals.

Can Alcaraz bring an end to another incredible run?

The doubles final comes to a close

15:51 , Arthur Ferridge

Arevalo and Pavic prevail in the Men’s Doubles final after three sets.

Sinner and Alcaraz are next up on Centre Court!

Alcaraz on facing Sinner

15:44 , Arthur Ferridge

Carlos Alcaraz previews today’s tie.

“It could be great, I’m not going to lie. Who knows? He’s playing great. I’ve been watching his matches. His level is really high right now.

“Every time that I play against him is always a battle, is always really, really tough. I kind of enjoy those moments, as well. But [if] I play him in the final, [it would] be even more challenging playing against him at home with the people behind him, supporting him.

“It’s going to be a really difficult challenge. But let’s see. Who wins tonight deserves to be in the final. It's going to be a really difficult one.”

Alcaraz's route to the final

15:39 , Arthur Ferridge

Similar to Sinner, Alcaraz too did not drop a set in his opening Italian Open matches. He breezed past the Serbians Dusan Lavojic and Laslo Djere in the first two rounds, before suffering a small wobble as Karen Khachanov fought back from a slow start to force a third set in the Round of 16.

Alcaraz naturally prevailed, though, going on to beat British No1 Jack Draper in the quarter finals.

He denied Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti the opportunity to challenge for a title on home clay in the semis, and will look to deal further damage to Italian tennis as he faces Sinner today.

Head to head: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

15:30

Today will be the eleventh meeting between Alcaraz and Sinner. It is their first in 2025, though the Spaniard won all three of their meetings in 2025, including the Beijing Open final and Roland Garros semi-final.

Sinner last won this matchup in the 2023 Beijing Open semifinal, winning 7-6 6-1 as he went on to win the tournament.

This will be the pair’s third final.

Sinner wins: 4

Alcaraz wins: 6

Sinner's route to the final

15:20 , Arthur Ferridge

World No1 Jannik Sinner is making his first appearance at his home tournament since facing a doping ban earlier this year, and it has been a long run for the top seed.

He started in the round of 64 against Argentina’s Mariano Ravone, winning in straight sets, before condemning Jesper de Jong, Francisco Cerundolo, and Casper Ruud to the same fate.

He dropped his first set of the competition in the semi-final against Tommy Paul, overcoming an uncharacteristically poor first set to win 1-6 6-0 6-3.

Can the hometown hero get the title over the line?

Around the courts

15:11 , Arthur Ferridge

Elsewhere today, the men’s doubles final is underway.

The French duo of Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul currently trail Mate Pavic and Marcelo Arevalo by one set and are tied at five games apiece in the second.

Sinner meets Pope Leo

15:08 , Arthur Ferridge

Jannik Sinner may have divine providence on his side - he spent a day off earlier in the Italian Open with newly ordained Pope Leo XIV, who declined the offer of a match.

The Pontiff is reportedly a keen tennis player.

(AP)

Standard Sport prediction

14:53 , Matt Verri

This should be fun.

Sinner has been superb in his first tournament back after a doping ban, dropping just one game in his quarter-final win over Casper Ruud.

Alcaraz has had to fight a bit harder, but straight-set wins over Jack Draper and Lorenzo Musetti were impressive.

It rarely disappoints when these two are on court and this should be no different. We’re going for Sinner to edge another classic.

Sinner to win in three sets.

How to watch Sinner vs Alcaraz

14:41 , Matt Verri

TV channel: In the UK, you can watch live coverage of the Italian Open on Sky Sports.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the action unfold live online via the Sky Go app.

Live blog: Follow all the action right here with us!

Good afternoon!

14:28 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz!

It’s a huge final coming up at the Italian Open, between the two favourites for the French Open later this month.

Sinner the world number one and he has home support, but Alcaraz has been in hugely impressive form himself.

We’ll have all the latest updates and build-up, before full coverage of the final. It’s expected to get up and running at 4pm BST!