Sinner wins in Monte Carlo to reclaim world number one spot

Jannik Sinner moved back to world number one after defeating Carlos Alcaraz 7–6(5), 6–3 in the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters. 

The result secured his third ATP Masters 1000 title of the season and extended his unbeaten run at that level in 2026.

The opening set was a tight contest, with both players holding through extended baseline exchanges. 

Sinner faced two set points but held serve, keeping the set level before taking control in the tiebreak. 

His shot selection at key moments, including use of the forehand and controlled approaches to the net, allowed him to close out the set 7–5 in the breaker.

Alcaraz, who entered the match with the stronger head-to-head record, mixed in drop shots and changes of pace but was unable to sustain pressure across return games. 

Sinner’s ability to keep rallies on his terms limited opportunities for breaks, with both players forced to rely on small margins in service games.

Things shifted in the second set. Sinner secured a break with a return winner and held that advantage through the remainder of the match. 

He converted three of four break points overall while saving all five he faced, maintaining control across key moments.

Alcaraz’s error count increased as the set progressed, particularly from the backhand side under sustained pressure. 

Sinner finished with 31 winners to Alcaraz’s 18, reflecting the difference in execution across longer rallies.

The win marks Sinner’s 27th career title and returns him to the top of the rankings, a position he previously held in 2024. 

The final also carried added weight, with both players level on weeks spent at number one going into the match.

Sinner’s run to the title included a straight-sets win over Alexander Zverev in the semifinals, where he converted all break point opportunities. 

The result in Monte Carlo adds to his titles in Indian Wells and Miami, completing a three-event sequence at Masters level this season.