Carlos Alcaraz was unable to halt Jannik Sinner’s Paris Masters charge, having been upset by world number 31 Cameron Norrie in his opening match.
Alcaraz was far from his best against Norrie, hitting 54 unforced errors during the contest.
This proved to be a crucial factor against the Brit, who eventually won their round of 32 contest 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
As for Jannik Sinner, the Italian went on to win his fifth title of 2025 after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6 in the Paris Masters final.
Adriano Panatta – the only player to defeat Bjorn Borg at the French Open – has taken note of Sinner’s victory in France.
Adriano Panatta says Carlos Alcaraz must stay focused, or he won’t beat Jannik Sinner again
Former world number Adriano Panatta spoke to La nuova domenica sportiva about the ongoing rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
As reported by Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, Panatta said: “He [Sinner] did his job because he was the clear favorite after Alcaraz was eliminated. Now he’s back to number one, even if it won’t last long, thanks to a diabolical system that I don’t understand and don’t really agree with.”
“Sinner is experimenting with a lot of things, he continues to learn every time. Jannik played well, not that he didn’t hit drop shots before or anything, but he does it much more now.
“He also serves better, even his attitude on the court seems more relaxed, he’s aware of his strength, he can joke with Cahill, for example, something he didn’t do before. The disagreement? I don’t think it was that serious, he’s almost unbeatable now.
“Alcaraz could have a bad day and lose, but that never happens to Jannik in the first or second round.
“Either he loses in the final or gets injured, so Carlos has to be careful: either he stays focused or he won’t beat him again. “
The Italian also expressed his desire to see yet another final between Sinner and Alcaraz in 2025.
He said: “I hope for a final between them [in Turin].”
Panatta’s analysis is accurate for the most part. Sinner very rarely exits tournaments in the early stages, while Alcaraz has demonstrated a tendency [albeit limited] to lose – or struggle – in the early rounds of tournaments.
However, to suggest Alcaraz would not be able to beat Sinner again – under current circumstances – if he does not stay focused, undervalues Alcaraz’s previous success against the Italian.
Carlos Alcaraz’s record against Jannik Sinner
As things stand, Carlos Alcaraz leads Jannik Sinner in their head-to-head matchup by 10 victories to five.
Remarkably, of their last eight matches on the ATP Tour, Sinner has won only one.
The last time Sinner recorded back-to-back victories against the Spaniard was in 2023, when he triumphed against Alcaraz at the Miami Open and China Open.
| Tournament | Winner | Score |
| 2021 Paris Masters | Carlos Alcaraz | 7-6, 7-5 |
| 2022 Wimbledon | Jannik Sinner | 6-1, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 |
| 2022 Umag Open | Jannik Sinner | 6-7, 6-1, 6-1 |
| 2022 US Open | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 7-5, 6-3 |
| 2023 Indian Wells | Carlos Alcaraz | 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2023 Miami Open | Jannik Sinner | 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2023 China Open | Jannik Sinner | 7-6, 6-1 |
| 2024 Indian Wells | Carlos Alcaraz | 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2024 French Open | Carlos Alcaraz | 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2024 China Open | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2025 Italian Open | Carlos Alcaraz | 7-6, 6-1 |
| 2025 French Open | Carlos Alcaraz | 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 |
| 2025 Wimbledon | Jannik Sinner | 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2025 Cincinnati Open | Carlos Alcaraz | 5-0 [RETIRED] |
| 2025 US Open | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 |
Sinner has beaten Alcaraz twice at exhibition events, specifically at the Six Kings Slam. However, exhibition events simply do not replicate the same playing conditions and atmosphere as an ATP Tour event.
Simply put, Alcaraz has dominated their ATP Tour matchup over the last two years. Alcaraz remains the man to beat on the ATP Tour, as demonstrated by the fact that he has accrued the most points of any player in 2025.
