Second-seeded For his sixth ATP title in his career, Jannik Sinner came back from a set down to defeat top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz in the Croatia Open final, 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-1.
Jannik Sinner defeats Carlos Alcaraz in the championship match of Croatia Open
As he prevented the fifth-ranked Alcaraz from successfully defending his first ATP title, the 10th-ranked Italian, who was playing in his eighth final overall, won the match.
Alcaraz, who is 19 years old, won the first set tiebreaker, but Sinner went on to win.
Naturally, Sinner added, “I am quite happy.” “I have had a difficult year thus far; I have experienced some sad times, but we have worked constantly to play better, to be a better player, and to be a better person… Nevertheless, I am aware of my many areas for development.
Sinner, who had previously won all nine of his break points at hard-court competitions, converted his first match point after saving all nine of his break points to win his maiden trophy on clay.
In the third game of the second set, after fending off six break points, the 20-year-old Sinner finally broke his opponent.
Against Alcaraz, he improved his record to 2-1.
After being defeated by Lorenzo Musetti in Hamburg last Sunday, it was Alcaraz’s second straight final defeat.
Alcaraz played his sixth final of the year, which is the most on his tour. Including this year, he has won four of his five titles.
In singles, Sinner reached a global ranking of No. 9 on November 1, 2021, and in doubles, No. 124 on September 27, 2021, according to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). Sinner, who has won six ATP singles titles and one in doubles, won the 2020 Sofia Open, becoming him the youngest person to win five ATP singles titles since Novak Djokovic in 2007 and the youngest person to win an ATP singles title since 2008. He won the 2021 Citi Open to become the first ATP 500 champion who is under the age of 18.