Rome is ready for a new chapter in its rich tennis history! Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will face off in a blockbuster final at Foro Italico, marking the youngest Rome Masters final since 2009!
With an average age of 22 years and 11 months, the rising stars are drawing inevitable comparisons to the 2009 final. Sixteen years ago, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic contested the title clash at an average age of 22 years and six months.
Sunday’s final is not just about age – it’s about momentum ahead of Roland Garros, rivalry and the future of men’s tennis. Alcaraz and Sinner have developed one of the most exciting head-to-head battles on the Tour.
The Rome Masters final is another chance for both to stake their claim in the post-Big Three era. The Spaniard and the Italian will battle for the 11th time, with Carlos leading 6-4.
Sinner enters the match with sky-high confidence, returning to action after skipping three months and maintaining his old level. On the other hand, Alcaraz is seeking the only notable clay-court title missing in his collection.
Sixteen years ago, the leading young guns, Nadal and Djokovic, fought for the trophy at Foro Italico. The king of clay dethroned the Serb following a 7-6, 6-2 triumph in two hours and three minutes.
Rafa ousted five rivals in straight sets for his fourth Rome Masters trophy within five years. The opening set lasted 74 minutes, with the two rivals pushing each other to the limits.
Nadal prevailed and broke the rival’s resistance in set number two, although he still had to dig deep to move over the top. The Spaniard served at 71% and lost serve two times from four chances offered to his rival.
Djokovic sprayed too many mistakes and experienced four breaks from five opportunities presented to Nadal. The more experienced player forged the lead in the shortest and more advanced exchanges.
Novak lost serve in the first game of the match. Rafa served well and forged a 5-3 advantage. The Serb denied a set point in game nine and prolong the action.
Djokovic made his first push on the return in the tenth game and pulled the break back for 5-5 and more drama. Novak suffered another break in game 11, allowing Rafa to serve for the set for the second time.
The Serb denied another set point and broke back to introduce a tie break. Nadal left those setbacks behind and served well in the tie break. He earned a mini-break in the fourth point and generated two more points on the return for 7-2.
Djokovic missed a break chance at the beginning of the second set but stayed in touch in the first half. However, he hit a costly double fault in the sixth game, losing serve and falling 4-2 behind.
Nadal landed a service winner in the seventh game for 5-2 and cracked a forehand winner in the next one to deliver another break and emerge at the top.
