King of Rome: Alcaraz dominates Sinner, lifts Italian Open trophy

ROME, Italy (AFP) — Carlos Alcaraz won the Italian Open on Sunday after beating Jannik Sinner in straight sets but expects his rival to be "really dangerous" at Roland Garros as he steps up his return from a three-month doping ban.

Alcaraz fended off two set points late in the first set and then seized control in the tie-break before pulling away for a 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 win, his fourth in a row over world No. 1 Sinner.

The Spaniard snapped Sinner's 26-match winning run to claim his first Rome crown and seventh Masters 1000 title, denying Italy its first male champion at the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976. Alcaraz was also the last player to beat Sinner, in last year's China Open final.

Sunday's showdown could well be a prelude to the French Open final, with Sinner and Alcaraz set to be kept apart in the draw as the latter will return to second in the rankings on Monday.

Alcaraz, who beat Sinner in a five-set semifinal en route to the Roland Garros trophy 12 months ago, has few doubts the Italian will again be a major contender in the French capital.

"The level he has played in this tournament is insane after three months without playing, without any tournament," Alcaraz said.

"I mean, what he has done, it's amazing. I mean, it's something that I have to have respect for.”

"I'm pretty sure he's going to be better and better. This week of practicing, he's going to feel better. If he's winning in Roland Garros and he's going farther, I think he's going to feel.”

"He's going to be a really dangerous player in Paris."

Alcaraz won his third title of the season after eventually dominating Sinner and silencing the over 10,000 fans packed into the center court stands at the Foro Italico.

The Spaniard claimed victory in his fourth final of the season and sent a clear message that he is near the top of his game going into the year's second Grand Slam.

"Beating Jannik and winning in Rome, I think both things mixed together give you a great confidence coming to Paris," Alcaraz said.

"He's (one of) the best players in the world. It doesn't matter that he was out of the tour for three months. Every tournament he's playing, he plays great. The numbers are there. He wins almost every match he plays.”

"That's why I'm even more focused when I play against him. If I don't play at my best, 10 out of 10, it's going to be impossible to beat him."