Sinner Overcomes Paul to Join Alcaraz in Rome Final
After a dazzling quarterfinal performance yesterday against Casper Ruud, where he lost only a single game, Jannik Sinner faced a tougher challenge (1-6, 6-0, 6-3) in his semifinal against Tommy Paul this Friday. Nevertheless, he secured his spot in the Rome Masters 1000 final, where he will face Carlos Alcaraz.
Yesterday, spectators witnessed an impressive display from Jannik Sinner, who seemed almost untouchable. But against Paul—an opponent he had beaten three times before—the world No. 1 was absent in the first set.
With just 2 winners to 13 unforced errors, Sinner struggled under the American’s dominance. Paul expertly countered the Italian’s game plan and capitalized on break opportunities (converting 2 out of 3). To everyone’s surprise, after just 29 minutes, Paul took the first set 6-1.
Stung by his poor start, Sinner quickly bounced back. An early break and 30 minutes later, he delivered a 6-0 set—just as he had against Ruud the day before. His stats confirmed the turnaround: 10 winners to 4 unforced errors, 82% first serves in, and 79% of points won behind them.
The momentum carried into the third set, as the three-time Grand Slam winner claimed the first three games to lead 3-0. Despite the deficit, Paul fought back with a break (3-2).
Though less composed than in the second set, Sinner regained control by breaking again in the next game, sealing his path to victory.
Sunday’s final in Rome will mark a historic first, as neither Sinner nor Alcaraz has ever reached this stage at the Foro Italico. It will be their first clash of 2025 and their maiden meeting in a Masters 1000 final.
Their last encounter was an epic Beijing final last year, where Alcaraz triumphed in a nail-biter (6-7, 6-4, 7-6).
This showdown serves as a thrilling appetizer just one week before Roland Garros, where they will be the top two seeds.
