World No. 1 Jannik Sinner was looking to become the first Italian to win the Internazionali BNL d’Italia since 1976 while simultaneously signaling his triumphant return from suspension on home soil.

Instead, newly elevated World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain downed Sinner 7-6 (5), 6-1, winning his 19th career title and third of the year in Rome on Sunday.

Alcaraz enjoyed four aces and saved two of two break points on the way toward claiming his seventh ATP Masters 1000 title.

“I’m just really happy to get my first Rome (title), hopefully it’s not going to be the last one,” Alcaraz said.

An adductor injury recently forced the 22-year-old to withdraw from the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid, yet Alcaraz was able to snap Sinner’s 26-match winning streak in a closely contested opening set that led to a more one-sided final set in one hour and 45 minutes.

“The first thing I want to say is that I’m just really happy to see Jannik back at this amazing level,” Alcaraz said. “I’m sure it wasn’t easy for him coming back after three months and making the final of a Masters 1000 in his first tournament [back]. It’s something insane, so I have to congratulate him.”

The 23-year-old Sinner, who had not competed since winning the Australian Open in January due to a doping suspension, had carved through much of the field in advancing to the Final, his first at his home-soil event. He was proud of that effort, despite the loss on the championship stage.

“Talking generally, (I am) very happy about this tournament,” Sinner said. “It gives me hopefully confidence to play some good tennis also in Paris. Let’s see what’s coming out there. But after three months, coming here, making this result means a lot to me, a lot to my team also. We worked a lot to be here.”

Alcaraz showed dominance at the net (2-of-2 on net points vs. 1-of-6 for Sinner) and won 16 more points on serves, keeping Sinner from becoming the first Italian to win the Italian Open since Adriano Panatta did so in 1976.

“I’m proud of myself, with the way I approached the match mentally,” Alcaraz said. “Tactically, I think I played pretty well from the first point until the last one. I didn’t do a roller coaster… I maintained my good level throughout the whole match, so I’m really proud about everything I did today.”

It was Alcaraz’s fourth straight victory over Sinner.

“All eyes are on Paris right now,” Alcaraz said. “Beating Jannik, winning Rome, both things mix together and give (me) great confidence going to Paris. I always say ‘The final is not about playing, the final is about winning’. I just repeat (that) approach every time I play a final.”

Geneva Open

Portugal’s Nuno Borges upset American Alex Michelsen 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in Switzerland.

Borges took down the No. 7 seed in 1 hour, 42 minutes by saving four of five break points and converting three of four break points.

Also in the Round of 32, Australia’s No. 5 Alexei Popyrin overcame Chile’s Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, thanks in part to a narrow edge on first serves (63 percent to 62).

Hamburg Open

Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo had a 28-7 edge in winners to defeat Spain’s Pedro Martinez 6-2, 6-3 in Germany.

The No. 4 seed posted six aces compared to none for Martinez. Cerundolo also converted 7 of 10 break points.

In the other Round of 32 matchup, Italy’s Luciano Darderi recorded four aces in defeating Germany’s Diego Dedura 6-1, 6-4.

–Field Level Media