Saturday noticed Paolini turn into the primary house winner of one of many singles titles in Rome for 40 years as she brushed apart Coco Gauff in straight units, 6-4 6-2, making certain a transfer as much as No2 within the WTA rankings forward of the French Open subsequent week.
Not since Raffaella Reggi in 1985 had there been an Italian winner on the clay competitors, however now there could possibly be two in the identical weekend as Sinner eyes glory on Sunday.
The reigning world No1 has made a profitable return to the court docket this week after a three-month ban from tennis that adopted his second successive Australian Open triumph in January, dropping just one set in 5 consecutive victories over Mariano Navone, Jesper De Jong, Francisco Cerundolo, Casper Ruud and Tommy Paul.
He now faces his hardest take a look at in opposition to third seed Alcaraz, who’s into his third straight last after spectacular performances on the pink mud in each Monte Carlo and Barcelona in latest weeks as he warms up for his title defence at Roland Garros.
With seven Grand Slam crowns between them, this afternoon’s contest is assured to be entertaining because the pair meet for the eleventh time on the ATP Tour.
Alcaraz presently leads the face to face by six wins to 4, having gained three conferences in a row, in final yr’s epic five-set French Open semi-final and in a dramatic China Open last in October, plus the semi-finals at Indian Wells in 2024.
Wait over: Jasmine Paolini is the primary house winner of a singles title on the Italian Open since 1985
Getty Photographs
Alcaraz has bested Sinner in 5 of their final seven matches on tour, with the Italian attaining back-to-back victories within the semi-finals in Beijing and Miami in 2023.
Nonetheless, it’s value noting that Sinner got here out on high in straight units within the inaugural Six Kings Slam exhibition last in Riyadh in October, successful £4.6million in prize cash within the course of.
Sinner vs Alcaraz begin time
The 2025 Italian Open males’s singles last takes place on Sunday, Could 18 on the Stadio Centrale in Rome.
The match is because of begin at 2pm BST, which is 3pm native time.
The best way to watch Sinner vs Alcaraz
TV channel: Within the UK, you’ll be able to watch reside protection of the Italian Open on Sky Sports activities. Protection begins from 11am BST on Sunday on Sky Sports activities Tennis and Sky Sports activities Most important Occasion.
Stay stream: Sky Sports activities subscribers also can watch the motion unfold reside on-line through the Sky Go app.
