Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have played six intense matches this year, with the Spaniard winning four of them to extend their head-to-head lead to 10-6 against the Italian.
Their first meeting this year came in the Rome Masters final. As reported by the ATP on Tuesday, Sinner was aiming to become the first Italian men's champion in Rome since 1976 (with Adriano Panatta), but Alcaraz stole the trophy from the Internazionali BNL d'Italia.
Sinner, playing in his first tournament since lifting the Australian Open trophy, looked poised to take the set after holding off two set points. However, a forehand error and a mistimed backhand gave Alcaraz a golden opportunity.
