Carlos Alcaraz had little trouble dismantling Jannik Sinner in the Italian Open final, sealing a 7-6(5) 6-1 victory to snap the world number one’s 26-match winning streak and break the hearts of the home crowd on Sunday.

Jannik Sinner left the home Rome Masters with a runner-up trophy. More importantly, world no. 1 renewed his sense of confidence heading into Roland Garros. Returning from a three-month suspension, the Italian made an immediate impact, reaching the final in front of his home fans at Foro Italico and challenging Carlos Alcaraz in the opening set.

A couple of weeks in Rome that started with the return of the prodigal son and then took in the election of a new Pope will have a fittingly blockbuster ending: the world’s two best male tennis players facing off for the Italian Open title.