Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner had no trouble setting up a dream final at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Sunday afternoon. Alcaraz ended Valentin Vacherot’s run with a 6-4, 6-4 victory on semifinal Saturday, while Sinner trounced Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-4.
The result is an 18th showdown between the two best players on tour, with Alcaraz leading the head-to-head series 11-6 overall (10-6 on the main tour) and 4-1 on clay. Their clay-court history includes a five-set thriller in the 2025 French Open final, won by the Spaniard from three championship points down.
“I think it’s the dream spot for everyone, I would say,” Alcaraz commented. “I’m fighting for a second Monte-Carlo title; he’s fighting for his first one.”
The are also fighting for the world No. 1 ranking, which will go to whoever lifts the trophy. Of course, it’s only a matter of time before Sinner regains the top spot regardless of Sunday’s result. Having been suspended last year, the Italian has zero points to defend until Rome. Alcaraz, on the other hand, won Monte-Carlo, Rome, and Roland Garros in 2025.
“It’s going to be a really special one,” the top seed assured. “The No. 1 (ranking) is on the line, which will make tomorrow even more special.”
Sinner has his sight set not only on a first Monte-Carlo trophy but also on Roland Garros.
“It would be good for me before Paris to play at least once against him, seeing where my level is on this surface and where we need to work on — which gives me hopefully good feedback,” the 24-year-old explained. “In any case, if I win or lose, it’s going to be good feedback and a good point where we need to improve.”
who ya got?
52 % Alcaraz 48 % Sinner, only just, it will be a fun match, as it always is when these two meet, a special rivalry that can go either way, tennis is always the winner