Sinner beats Alcaraz in straight sets to win Monte Carlo; reclaim No.1 spot

play Live Sign upShow navigation menu.css-15ru6p1{font-size:inherit;font-weight:normal;}Navigation menuNewsShow more news sectionsAfricaAsiaUS & CanadaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle EastExplainedOpinionSportVideoMoreShow more sectionsFeaturesEconomyHuman RightsClimate CrisisInvestigationsInteractivesIn PicturesScience & TechnologyPodcastsTravelplay Live Click here to searchsearchSign upNavigation menucaret-leftTrendingUS-Israeli war on IranHungary electionTracking Israel's ceasefire violationsRussia-Ukraine warDonald Trumpcaret-rightSport|TennisSinner beats Alcaraz in straight sets to win Monte Carlo; reclaim No.1 spotJannik Sinner continues his title-winning run with a 7-6(5) 6-3 triumph over Calos Alcaraz, and reclaims the top spot in ATP rankings. xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoJannik Sinner with the Monte Carlo Masters' trophy after winning the final against Carlos Alcaraz on Court Rainier III at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin [Valery Hache/AFP]By The Associated PressPublished On 13 Apr 202613 Apr 2026Italy’s Jannik Sinner has dethroned defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in Monte Carlo to claim his first Masters title on clay and snatch back the world ⁠number one ranking from the Spaniard. Sinner recorded a straight sets win – 7-6(5) 6-3 – in Sunday’s final, capping a remarkable run to become just the second player to win the ‘Sunshine Double’ and Monte Carlo in the same season – a feat previously achieved only by Novak Djokovic in ⁠2015. It marked the 24-year-old’s fourth consecutive Masters 1000 crown following triumphs in Paris, Indian Wells and Miami, and his eighth Masters title overall. “We came here just trying to get as many matches as possible before other big tournaments coming up. Today was a very high level from both of us,” Sinner said in an on-court interview. “It was a bit windy, breezy – ‌completely different conditions the tournament has brought until today. “The result (is) amazing, getting back to number one means a lot to me. At the same time, as I always say, the ranking is secondary. I’m very happy to win at least one big trophy on this surface.” The last time the pair met was nearly five months ago when Sinner beat Alcaraz in the ATP Finals title clash and fans had been eagerly looking forward to the next chapter of the ‘Sincaraz’ rivalry. Playing in blustery conditions, both players struggled initially as they ⁠traded early breaks until Alcaraz found his groove first, unleashing winners past Sinner when ⁠he caught the Italian wrong-footed on the baseline on a few occasions. Alcaraz also used the disguised drop shot to good effect to catch Sinner off guard, but breaking serve proved elusive for both as they battled the wind. Sinner was forced to work hard while trailing 6-5, but ⁠he held his nerve to force a tiebreak where his first serve proved decisive, clinching the opener when Alcaraz double-faulted on set point. Alcaraz struck early in the second ⁠set, consolidating a break to lead 3-1 with a couple of impressive ⁠returns that had fans leaping to their feet. However, Sinner found his second wind and reeled off four straight games to turn the match on its head and serve for the title. Sinner made no mistake on serve, and as Alcaraz made an error on championship point, the Italian ‌celebrated the biggest claycourt title of his career before embracing his rival at the net. The Australian Open champion admitted Sinner performed better when it mattered most. “I would say that the important moments, the important points, I didn’t play well. I think I had so much opportunities in the match that I didn’t take,” said Alcaraz. “It’s impressive what you are achieving right now… Just one man in the Open Era won the Sunshine Double and then Monte Carlo, and you ‌are ‌the second one to achieve it,” Alcaraz said. “It’s something incredible and I just experienced how difficult it is to make that happen. So congratulations for everything, for the work you are doing with your team.” Advertisement AboutAboutShow moreAbout UsCode of EthicsTerms and ConditionsEU/EEA Regulatory NoticePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyCookie PreferencesAccessibility StatementSitemapWork for usConnectConnectShow moreContact UsUser Accounts HelpAdvertise with usStay ConnectedNewslettersChannel FinderTV SchedulePodcastsSubmit a TipPaid Partner ContentOur ChannelsOur ChannelsShow moreAl Jazeera ArabicAl Jazeera EnglishAl Jazeera Investigative UnitAl Jazeera MubasherAl Jazeera DocumentaryAl Jazeera BalkansAJ+Our NetworkOur NetworkShow moreAl Jazeera Centre for StudiesAl Jazeera Media InstituteLearn ArabicAl Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human RightsAl Jazeera ForumAl Jazeera Hotel PartnersFollow Al Jazeera English: