Jannik Sinner’s comeback run in Rome found an end on Sunday the 18th with a straight-sets loss to rival Carlos Alcaraz. After an excellent week of tennis from the two young superstars, it was Alcaraz who managed to take the crown in Rome through a 7:6 (7:5), 6:1 victory.

In a high-level opening set, reigning world number one Sinner — who had just come back from a three-month doping ban — managed to get two set points at 6:5. However, Alcaraz held his nerve, held serve, and leveled the match at 6:6, before winning the tiebreak 7:5 in style.

In the second set, it was an Alcaraz gala. The Spaniard seemed to make close to no mistakes while applying pressure with all strokes. Especially his dropshot seemed to give Sinner problems. After going 5:0 up, Alcaraz managed to close out the win 6:1 and claimed the last major title he was lacking on clay — all at just the age of 22.

Nevertheless, it was a positive week for both of them. Sinner once again proved why he is the man to beat, and Alcaraz — who has now won their last four encounters — seems to be the only one who can do so. With Alcaraz moving to world number 2, everything is set up for a final between the two tennis giants at the French Open.