TENNIS: Sinner wins Italian Open to complete Masters collection

Italy’s Jannik Sinner made history on Sunday after defeating Norway’s Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in the Italian Open final to complete a career “Golden Masters,” becoming only the second player after Novak Djokovic to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles.

The world number one finally secured the elusive title on home soil after falling short in last year’s final against Carlos Alcaraz. The victory marked Sinner’s fifth ATP Masters 1000 title of the season and his first singles crown in Rome.

Sinner also became the first Italian man to win the singles title at the Italian Open since Adriano Panatta in 1976. Earlier in the day, Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori captured the men’s doubles title after defeating Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 7-6(8), 6-7(3), 10-3, making them the first Italian pair to win the tournament in 66 years.

“It’s a historic day because we won the doubles and the singles,” Sinner told the crowd at Foro Italico. “Last year Jasmine Paolini won the women’s singles and doubles. We’re keeping the momentum on.”

Ruud started strongly in the opening set, taking a 2-0 lead with an early break, but Sinner responded immediately to level the match. With the score tied at 4-4, the Italian produced a sharp backhand winner to earn a break point before Ruud sent a shot long, handing Sinner the crucial advantage.

Sinner carried the momentum into the second set, breaking Ruud in the opening game and maintaining control with confident serving. The four-time Grand Slam champion sealed the victory with a powerful forehand winner while Ruud could only watch from across the court.

The triumph extended Sinner’s ATP Masters winning streak to 34 matches, a run that includes titles in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome.

Having already won three ATP Masters 1000 titles on clay this season, Sinner heads into the upcoming French Open as one of the favorites to win the only Grand Slam title still missing from his collection.

“What you are doing this year is hard to describe with words,” Ruud said after the match. “Congratulations to you for making history for yourself, for your country, and for your team.” -Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters