Jannik Sinner beats Casper Ruud to win Italian Open and seal Masters sweep
World number one Jannik Sinner has defeated Casper Ruud 6-4 6-4 to win the Italian Open in Rome and become the youngest player to complete a Career Golden Masters.
By claiming victory on home soil, the 24-year-old joins Novak Djokovic as only the second man to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles.
The Serbian great previously achieved the historic feat at the age of 31 by beating Roger Federer in the 2018 Cincinnati Open final.
A historic triumph on home soil
The reigning Wimbledon champion extended his phenomenal winning run to 29 matches with this straight-sets success.
His victory in one hour and 45 minutes also marks the first time an Italian man has won the Rome tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.
Sinner responded immediately after suffering an early break in the second game, gradually overpowering his opponent in a highly physical contest.
The top seed ultimately sealed his landmark victory with a blistering inside-out forehand winner before celebrating in front of a rapturous crowd.
‘An incredible two-and-a-half months’
Seventy-five-year-old Panatta was present in the stands to witness his successor end the nation’s long wait for a home men’s singles champion.
“This year was the 50th year since an Italian won and I’m really, really happy.”
Sinner, who fell short in last year’s final against Carlos Alcaraz, told Sky Sports.
“There was a lot of tension on both sides, it was not perfect tennis from both of us.”
“It has been an incredible last two-and-a-half months.”
“I try to put myself in the best possible position every time I go on court, trying to do the best I can – not every day is simple, but I’m really, really happy.”
