Jannik Sinner will take back the No. 1 ranking on Monday after winning his fourth consecutive Masters 1000 title with a 7-6 (5), 6-3 defeat of rival Carlos Alcaraz.

The Italian’s win in two and a quarter hours as gusting winds began to play up at the seaside Monte Carlo Country Club has won the last four events in the elite series: Paris Indoors, Indian Wells, Miami and now in the principality for the first time.

The 24-year-old who began his sporting life as a child ski racer before picking up a racquet extended his current Masters win streak to 22 matches.

He joins Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as the only players to win four consecutive Masters tournaments.

“I don’t know where to start,” Sinner said after victory, with Alcaraz sending a service return long on his opponent’s first match point.

“We came here hoping to play as many matches as possible and get some feedback (on his clay game).

“This is another amazing result,” he said after losing last May’s Roland Garros final in Paris to Alcaraz.

“To get back to No. 1 means a lot to me. But the ranking is secondary. I’m happy to win a big trophy on this surface.”

Sinner won the 74-minute opening set but trailed 3-1 in the second before breaking back for 3-all and repeating for 5-3 moments later.

“I always felt close on the return game,” Sinner said. “I think new balls helped me at 1-3.  I tried to stay strong mentally and kept pushing.”

Alcaraz, who stayed atop the rankings for 66 weeks, will drop to second but still leads the head-to-head 10-7.

Sinner claimed the 27th title of his career and third this season after the Australian Open and Doha.

Alcaraz was quick to praise his rival: “You have showed the world the work you and your team are doing,” said the Spanish defending champion. “It’s nice to see you winning in front of your family.

“This is not the ending we wanted but I’ve enjoyed every day here at the only one-week Masters tournament remaining. 

“We enjoyed every day on and off the court here.”

Main photo:- Jannik Sinner with Monte Carlo Masters trophy – by ISF Ltd

Novak Djokovic has been making it plain that the end of his career is approaching, with the 38-year-old dropping his strongest hint ever about his future on court.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion who has been keeping his ATP scheduling options open and has competed this season only at the Australian Open (finals loss to Carlos Alcaraz) and winning two rounds last month at Indian Wells.

“Tennis is still very important to me, but it’s no longer everything,” the Serb told Esquire Australia, adding that family matters and two children are starting to take precedence in his life.

“It’s one of the biggest challenges – finding the right balance between tennis and family life, especially as my children are growing and have school commitments, so they can’t travel with me as much as before.

“When I’m on the court, I’m motivated not just to win, but to set an example – to show them values like dedication, resilience, and love for what you do. That motivation is very powerful and very personal.”

Main photo:- Novak Djokovic was runner up to Carlos Alcaraz in AO26 – by ISF Ltd

Jannik Sinner put pure power on display Saturday as the Italian reached his first Monte Carlo Masters final with a 6-1, 6-4 thrashing for an eighth straight win over Alexander Zverev.

The world No. 2 concluded his rout in 83 minutes with a driving forehand winner down the line on match point.

Sinner becomes the first man since Novak Djokovic in 2015 to reach the final of the first three Masters events of a season. The Italian won titles last month in Indian Wells and Miami before pivoting to the European clay of the principality.

Sinner has not lost to the third-ranked Zverev since the US Open three years ago.

The Italian got away to an opening break in his 21st consecutive match win and never let Zverev into the semi-final.

The pair have now met in the last four Masters semi-finals dating to the Paris Indoors last November,

 Sinner will compete for the title on Sunday against the winner from defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Monegasque breakthrough Valentin Vacherot, setting national records with every win here. 

“Every match is different and I’m happy with this win,” Sinner said. “We came here hoping to get some feedback (on his game).

“Reaching the final means a lot to me. I felt really solid from the beginning. Getting an early break always influences the dynamics of the match

“I’m looking forward to the final; playing those is why I wake up. I’ve got nothing to lose. Making the final means a lot to me.”

Main photo:- Resolute Sinner wins semi final in Monte Carlo – by ISF Ltd