Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz LIVE: Italian Open final score and updates – UK Times

After not gaining an inch on his last defence, Alcaraz promptly takes control on serve as a beautifully deft drop-shot goes out of reach for Sinner, putting him 30-0 up.

The Italian then produces an unforced error to net before returning a backhand wide.

As the game has gone on, both have looked increasingly unbreakable on serve.

Sinner holds to love in the quickest game we’ve seen so far.

A couple chances missed from Alcaraz there, but nothing gilt-edged.

When will the first breakthrough come?

Sinner takes the first point but Alcaraz responds with a rocket of second serve to level.

Alcaraz stays smart and takes control of the game to hold serve comfortably, once more.

Nothing between these two.

Alcaraz is growing into this game but Sinner is still able to push the Spaniard around.

A colossal forehand lands just out of Alcaraz’s reach before another big backhand wrongfoots his opponent.

Another double fault puts him under pressure but with the score at 40-30, he is able to get the job done.

Alcaraz fires a lightning forehand off the line to set the tone for his serve. He goes 40-0 up and looks to have it in the bag after pulling out his trademark drop shot for the first time in the game.

He and Sinner then trade drop shots – a game of touch – with the Italian coming out on top.

And while it gets a big cheer from the crowd, it’s insignificant as Alcaraz holds on the next point.

Sinner takes the advantage but gets caught out with a ball at his feet, unable to find the lift from an awkward bounce as it goes into the net.

The Italian then goes just wide to give Alcaraz the first opportunity to break of the game.

After a let, Sinner finds the first serve at pressure point to force a long return from Alcaraz and momentarily take the pressure off.

Back at deuce, a superb jumping backhand forces Alcaraz from corner to corner, who can’t get his backhand over.

An intense rally ensues, with some of the crowd moaning as they think Sinner has gone long with a looping shot. However, it stays just in and Sinner is able to emerge victorious.

A crucial hold from the World No 1.

That is just wonderful from Sinner! Sprinting across the bassline, he lets one rip down the line to go 15-0 up on serve.

A back-and-forth game follows as Alcaraz appears to be caught out by Sinner’s low volley, overhitting his return to level the score at 30-30.

Both then trade points once more as it goes to deuce. This is as even as it gets.

Alcaraz faces deuce on serve for the second time so far, but he handles the pressure to win the next two and hold with relative ease.

Patchy start to the fourth from Alcaraz as he produces a double fault before failing to be clinical near the net, going 15-30 down.

He recovers as a short second serve forces Sinner to miscue a backhand, levelling the score. He blasts an ace onto the line to go 40-30 up.

With Alcaraz on the verge of holding, Sinner somehow finds the angle to slice it just over the net, with Alcaraz unable to respond.

Sinner takes Alcaraz to deuce once again.

Sinner gives away the first point but levels with an emphatic serve.

The pair then engage in a great strike-for-strike rally, which ends as Alcaraz hits into the top of the net.

Sinner goes on the aggressive with the score at 40-30 and and keeps Alcaraz deep, forcing another return into the net.

A really strong hold of serve from Sinner. We’re seeing some quality tennis so far.