By: Kwame Bediako
Jannik Sinner secured his place in the Italian Open final on Friday, May 16, 2025 with a thrilling victory over Tommy Paul, coming back from a set down to win 1-6, 6-0, 6-3.
The match took place in front of a passionate home crowd at the Foro Italico, where the 23-year-old continued his remarkable unbeaten streak since returning from a three-month doping ban. Sinner’s win marks his 26th consecutive victory, bringing him closer to becoming the first Italian man to win the Rome title since Adriano Panatta in 1976.
In his post-match comments, Sinner acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “If I want to win on Sunday, I’ll have to play some of my best tennis.”
He also praised his upcoming opponent, Carlos Alcaraz, noting, “Carlos played incredible tennis today. Let’s see what happens, but from my side, it’s incredible to be in the final.” Their clash promises to be a highly anticipated showdown, with Sinner aiming to claim his first Rome title and add to his impressive winning streak.
Alcaraz, who defeated Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals, will be Sinner’s opponent in the final. The Spaniard reached his fourth final of the season with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) victory, overcoming windy conditions and a spirited challenge from the Italian player.
After his win, Alcaraz revealed his strategic approach, saying, “I’ll have dinner, but my phone will be there watching the match. I need to see who I’ll be playing and how they’re doing. I always study my opponent.” His recent dominance includes five consecutive wins over Musetti, including last month’s Monte Carlo final.
The semi-final match between Sinner and Paul was notable for its shifting momentum. Paul dominated the first set, winning five straight games in just 21 minutes and racing through the opening half-hour. However, Sinner’s resilience shone through as he regrouped, firing deep shots and serving his first aces of the match.
He then swept the second set without dropping a game, flipping the match in his favor. The Italian continued his momentum into the final set, breaking early and winning nine straight games before sealing the victory.
