Sinner in Rome final: beat Paul in three sets

Jannik Sinner won his first final at the Internazionali d'Italia against Tommy Paul, world number 12, in three sets, 1-6, 6-0, 6-3, at the end of a match with two faces. The first set, which lasted 28 minutes, left the centre court in shock: for that half hour, the American played "Sinner", he did nothing wrong - excellent serve, incisive replies, asphyxiating pressure from the baseline - while Jannik struggled and looked dazed, as well as committing errors not typical of him. Then the situation was completely reversed: Sinner was back to being Sinner, he hit winners in his own way, hurting with his backhand - from the middle to the outside, and the beloved long line -, he neutralised two insidious break points at 2-0 with two aces, taking away from his opponent the confidence he had shown just before. 6-0 in 31 minutes, with the crowd in delirium. The third set was taking the same turn, but Paul, down 0-3, climbed to 2-3, momentarily reigniting the match, only to give up his service again: Jannik, at 4-2 (and always supported by the crowd's chants) conceded little, extinguished a few more flashes of his opponent and closed the score 6-3, after missing two consecutive match points at 5-2.

"Today we saw that every day is different: after half an hour I found myself down 6-1. We turned this match around also thanks to all of you. Today it was only important to win, obviously in the final I have to raise the level if I want to compete. However, I came here thinking to play two-three matches and I find myself in the final. Regardless of how it goes, it will be an important test for me, also in view of Roland Garros; then it's clear, it's special for me to play here in Rome, I will give everything I have.

For Paul, who had lost to Sinner three times (at the Us Open last year, in Canada in 2023 and in Madrid in 2022) and had won once on the grass at Eastbourne, tomorrow will be a bitter birthday, as he turns 28.

For Sinner, the challenge in the final with Carlos Alcaraz, who today beat Lorenzo Musetti in two sets (6-3, 7-6), is renewed. "Sinner is playing great. I have seen his matches. His level is really high right now," the Spaniard commented after the win. "Every time I play against him it's always a battle, it's always really, really tough. I like those moments too. But if I faced him in the final it would be even more challenging to play against him at home, with people supporting him. I will watch the game tonight.

Appointment on Sunday, then, but first, on Saturday at 5pm, there is the women's final between Jasmine Paolini and Coco Gauff. The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, will also be there to support the Tuscan.