Jannik Sinner defeats Carlos Alcaraz, wins the Monte-Carlo crown | ATP Tour | Tennis

Game Report

Sinner defeats Alcaraz, wins Monte-Carlo crown

The Italian joined Djokovic (2015) as the only men to win the first three ATP Masters 1000 titles of the season.

April 12, 2026

Jannik Sinner won his first ATP Masters 1000 clay court title on Sunday at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, where he defeated arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (5), 6-3 in windy conditions.

The blockbuster clash was the first meeting between the two since November, when Sinner won in the title match of the Nitto ATP Finals. This time, the stakes were again high: the Monte-Carlo crown and World No. 1 were on the line.

With his victory in two hours and 15 minutes, the Italian became the second player, along with Novak Djokovic in 2015, to win Miami and Monte-Carlo back to back. The 24-year-old will also return to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time this year.

With Moetsalibe backed by a huge support on Court Rainier III, the Italian gave the first set a break when Alcaraz hit a costly double point. The 24-year-old went 1-3 in the second set against the erratic Alcaraz, who struggled for a long time in the rankings.

Moetsalibe is only the third player in history to win four consecutive ATP Masters 1000 titles, joining Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who has won a record 11 times in Monte-Carlo.

Moetsalibe did not drop the team to the Masters 1000 crowns in Paris, Indian Wells and Miami, becoming the first man to hold the ‘Sunshine Double’ (Indian Wells, Miami) without losing a set. The second seed has won his last 17 matches, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index and is on pace to win 22 times in Masters 1000 events. The last time he lost this streak was in Shanghai in October, when he retired against Tallon Griekspoor.

Alcaraz had won his last 17 clay court matches, dating back to last year when he won in Rome and Roland Garros. The 26-time tour-ranked Sinner defeated Sinner in both categories, securing three championship points against the Italian in a historic match in Paris.

However, the Spaniard could not find enough consistency against the reliable Sinner in the Principality, and the Italians improved to 2-3 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head list on clay and 7-10 overall.

In lively conditions at Court Rainier III, a star-studded crowd, including Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Stefan Edberg and Holger Rune, watched as Alcaraz struck first, getting the first break while Sinner pushed ahead long on the break. However, the Italian settled down quickly, found his rhythm and ensured great consistency from start to finish.

Alcaraz struggled to produce his usual damage in the second round, and the cooler conditions reduced the impact of his kicks on Sinner’s back. However, the Spaniard responded under pressure, saving a crucial break point in the ninth game when Sinner was forehand. Moetsalibe was able to control the situation effectively on the break, finding his points to serve and counter Alcaraz’s signal to take control of the set.

The Italian won the set when Alcaraz hit a double fault, after Sinner squandered his first chance to break point when he hit the net first. Sinner’s first-team field goal percentage was 53 percent, the lowest it’s been all season, but he was able to pick it up at halftime.

Alcaraz won one of the points of the week to break Sinner’s serve early in the second set. Pushed from one side to the other, the Spaniard hung on the edge and found the feet of the oncoming Italian with a crosscourt backhand pass. Moetsalibe landed his short volley but Alcaraz ran away to grab the first winner.

Moetsalibe equalized for 3-3 in the game where he hit a backhand and took a big shot from Alcaraz on the break. The second seed had successfully directed Alcaraz backhand in the last period of the second set, swinging in the last five games to win.

Alcaraz completed the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open in February and won the ATP 500 event in Doha. Alcaraz’s perfect 16-0 start to the season ended against Daniil Medvedev in the Indian Wells semi-finals.

Moetsalibe, who has won three major Tour titles in 2026, will begin his 67th week as World No. 1 on Monday, dethroning Alcaraz, who has spent 66 weeks at the top. It is the first time the Italians are the World Number since November 3, 2025.

Did you know?
Sinner joined Djokovic (2015) as the only men to win the first three ATP Masters 1000 titles of a season.