Jannik Sinner produced a composed and clinical performance to defeat defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5), 6-3 in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday, securing his maiden Masters title on clay and reclaiming the world number one ranking from his biggest tennis rival . In challenging, blustery conditions at the Monte Carlo Country Club, the 24-year-old Italian extended his winning streak at Masters events to 22 matches and became only the second player in the Open Era to complete the ‘Sunshine Double’ (Indian Wells and Miami) and follow it up with a Monte Carlo triumph—a feat previously achieved only by Novak Djokovic in 2015 . The victory marked Sinner’s 27th career title and his third Masters 1000 trophy of 2026 after earlier triumphs at Indian Wells and Miami . “The result is amazing,” Sinner said after the match. “Getting back to No. 1 means a lot for me. I am very happy to win a big title on this surface, I haven’t done it before and it means a lot to me” .
Alcaraz, who had won his last 17 matches on clay coming into the final, struggled with 45 unforced errors and a costly double fault in the first-set tie-break that handed Sinner the opening set. The Spaniard responded strongly in the second set, breaking early to take a 3-1 lead, but Sinner displayed remarkable composure to win the next five games and close out the match . In the new rankings released Monday, Sinner moved 110 points ahead of Alcaraz, who had been No. 1 since November . “It’s impressive what you are achieving right now,” Alcaraz told Sinner. “Only one person has ever won the Sunshine Double and Monte Carlo, and now you are the second. I know how difficult it is, congratulations to you and your team” . Sinner, who dropped to his knees after Alcaraz’s final shot landed out, now enters his 67th career week at No. 1—one more week than Alcaraz’s total of 66 .
