Sinner sets up Alcaraz clash in Italian Open final

Jannik Sinner fought back from a set down to beat Tommy Paul 1-6, 6-0, 6-3 on Friday and book his place in the Italian Open final, setting up a mouth-watering clash with Carlos Alcaraz.

In front of a packed home crowd at the Foro Italico, world number one Sinner recovered from a slow start to continue his unbeaten run since returning from a three-month doping ban. The 23-year-old has now won 26 matches in a row and is one step away from becoming the first Italian man to lift the Rome title since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

"If I want to win on Sunday, I'll have to play some of my best tennis," said Sinner. "Carlos played incredible tennis today. Let's see what happens, but from my side, it's incredible to be in the final."

Sinner will face Alcaraz, the last man to beat him—in the China Open final back in early October. The Spaniard reached his fourth final of the season with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win over Lorenzo Musetti, overcoming windy conditions and a spirited challenge from the Italian.

"I'll have dinner, but my phone will be there watching the match," said Alcaraz after his semi-final. "I need to see who I'll be playing and how they're doing. I always study my opponent."

Alcaraz has beaten Musetti five times in a row, including last month's Monte Carlo final. Musetti, reflecting on Sunday's final, admitted: "I really rate Carlos. On clay, the best version of him is the favourite against anyone… that includes Jannik."

The semi-final clash between Sinner and Paul was one of shifting momentum. Paul raced through the opening set in just under half an hour, taking the first five games in only 21 minutes. It mirrored Sinner's own dominant start against Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals.

It was the first time Sinner had dropped a set 6-1 since his US Open quarter-final against Daniil Medvedev—a match he ultimately won on his way to his second Grand Slam title. But any concerns about his form were short-lived.

From a shadow of his usual self, Sinner suddenly clicked into gear, powering deep shots to pin Paul back and firing his first aces of the match. He took the second set to love, flipping the match on its head.

Paul, now the one struggling, managed just 12 points in the second set. A double fault early in the decider handed Sinner the momentum, and the Italian reeled off nine straight games before closing out the match.

Earlier in the day, Jasmine Paolini reached her second final of the week. Having already booked a place in the women's singles final, she advanced to the doubles final alongside compatriot Sara Errani. The reigning champions will face Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens on Sunday.

Paolini could already be a singles champion by then. She will face Coco Gauff in Saturday's final, bidding to win her second WTA 1000 title at the age of 29 and become the first Italian woman to triumph in Rome since Raffaella Reggi in 1985.