Italian Open: Jannik Sinner Brushes Off Tommy Paul To Set Up Final Showdown With Carlos Alcaraz

Jannik Sinner will be the third Italian player to make an Italian Open final appearance after defeating Tommy Paul in a hard-fought semi-final. 

The top seed has set up a final showdown with his Spanish rival, Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard won their previous three meetings in 2024 - the Indian Wells Masters, the French Open, and the China Open. However, he had a tough match against Paul, whom he outclassed in a comeback rally after dropping the opening set. 

Despite his earlier scare, Paul could not get paid back for their last meeting in Madrid. He lost his grip on the match and lost to Jannik in Rome by 1-6, 6-0, 6-3. 

"Sunday is going to be a great day," said Sinner. "To come back and make the final in Rome, in such a special place for me. It's incredible." 

Sinner remained undeterred from bringing out his best since his return from a three-month suspension. He neatly routed Casper Ruud in the quarterfinal in straight sets, and Paul, who often can be resilient, was thrashed. 

Paul seemed like he would have the day, having breezed through the opening. Sinner rallied in the second by winning his first break point and saved another for a 3-0 lead before claiming a perfect victory, breaking for a set point on his backhand shot. 

Double-faulting from Paul handed out a 2-0 lead to Sinner, who seized a break advantage to extend his lead by 4-2 and claimed a match point on Paul's wide forehand shot. 

As the world number one, he will participate in his first Masters 1000 final in Rome as the home favorite and the top seed. He is the third male player to reach the final.