Jannik Sinner beats Carlos Alcaraz, wins Monte Carlo Masters, returns to No.1

Monte Carlo: Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to win the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time on Sunday and reclaim the world title from his Spanish rival.

Sinner defeated Alcaraz 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to claim his third ATP 1000 title of the year, after completing the “Sunshine Double” with victories in Indian Wells and Miami last month.

The 24-year-old Sinner also won in Paris at the end of last season, becoming the third player after Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal to win four consecutive ATP 1000 titles.

This was the first meeting between Sinner and Alcaraz since the Italians prevailed at the ATP Finals in November.

Sinner, who is 7-10 in his career against Alcaraz, will return to the top of the standings for the first time this year on Monday.

He won his last 17 matches and became the first man since Djokovic in 2015 to win the season’s first three ATP 1000 titles.