Jannik Sinner continued his title streak with a 7-6(5) 6-3 win over Callos Alcaraz and regained the top spot in the ATP rankings.
Published on 13 April 2026
Italy’s Jannik Sinner defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in Monte Carlo to win his first Masters title on clay and snatch the world number one ranking back from the Spaniard.
Sinner won Sunday’s final in straight sets – 7-6(5) 6-3 – and produced a remarkable performance to become just the second player to win the ‘Sunshine Double’ and Monte Carlo in the same season – a feat only achieved by Novak Djokovic in 2015.
It was the 24-year-old’s fourth consecutive Masters 1000 title and his eighth Masters title overall, following wins in Paris, Indian Wells and Miami.
“We came here trying to win as many matches as possible before other big tournaments coming up. Today was a very high level for both of us,” Sinner said in an on-court interview.
“There was a bit of wind, there was light wind – the tournament has brought completely different conditions to today.
“The result is amazing, it means a lot to me to be back at number one. Also, as I always say, the ranking is secondary. I am very happy to win at least one major trophy on this surface.”
The last time the pair met was almost five months ago when Sinner defeated Alcaraz in the ATP Finals title match and fans were eagerly waiting for the next chapter of the ‘Sincaraz’ rivalry.
bitter but friendly rivalry
Playing in difficult conditions, both players struggled early on as they traded early breaks until Alcaraz found his rhythm first, firing past Sinner to score the winner when he caught the Italian wrong on the baseline on a few occasions.
Alcaraz also used a disguised drop shot to good effect to stop Sinner, but a break of serve proved elusive for both as they battled the wind.
Trailing 6-5, Sinner was forced to work hard but held her nerve to take the tiebreak, where her first serve proved decisive, earning the opener when Alcaraz double-faulted on set point.
Alcaraz took the lead early in the second set, notching up a break with some impressive returns to take a 3-1 lead that had the fans jumping.
However, Sinner got her second breakthrough and won four consecutive games to turn the match around and serve out for the title.
Sinner made no mistakes on serve, and as Alcaraz made a mistake on championship point, the Italian celebrated the biggest claycourt title of his career before thrashing his opponent at the net.
The Australian Open champion admitted that Sinner performed better when it mattered most.
“I would say the key moments, the key points, I didn’t play well. I think I had a lot of chances in the match that I didn’t take advantage of,” Alcaraz said.
“It’s impressive what you’re accomplishing now… Only one person in the Open Era has won the Sunshine Double and then Monte Carlo, and you’re the second person to accomplish that,” Alcaraz said.
“It’s something incredible and I’ve just experienced how hard it is to do. So congratulations on everything you’re doing with your team.”
