A rivalry on the horizon between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have become the talk of the court, with a rivalry beginning to develop between the young stars. The pair have certainly put on some exciting performances over the last few years, with many more still to come.

The pair have faced each other a total of six times, with both having won three matches each. Their first-ever meeting came in the 2021 Paris Masters round of 32, where Alcaraz claimed the match after an exciting 7-6 (7-1), 7-5 win over his Italian rival. Alcaraz’s Paris Masters journey came to an end in the round of 16 after losing 4-6, 5-7 to Hugo Gaston.

The pair would go on to meet the following year at the 2022 Wimbledon round of 16. This time out, the match went in Sinner’s favour with a score of 6-1, 6-4, 6-7 (8-10), 6-3. Sinner then exited in the quarter-finals after losing 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to World No.1 Novak Djokovic.

They then went on to face each other again at the 2022 Croatia Open final. Sinner went ahead in the battle of the rivals after winning 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-1, earning his second win over Alcaraz.

They then met again in the quarter-final of the 2022 US Open, where Alcaraz managed to grab a win after a lengthy battle that ended 6-3, 6-7 (7-9), 6-7 (0-7), 7-5, 6-3, which saw the pair go level on matches won. Alcaraz then went on to claim the title after defeating Casper Ruud in the final with a score of 4-6, 6-2, 6-7, 3-6.

It wasn’t until 2023 that the rivals met again. The pair squared off in the semi-final of the Indian Wells Open, which saw Alcaraz claim his third win over the Italian. The match came to an end with a score of 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. Alcaraz then went on to win the title after defeating Daniil Medvedev with a score of 6-3, 6-2.

The stars then met for their latest battle in the semi-final of the 2023 Miami Open, which saw the pair go level on wins after a 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-2 win went in Sinner’s favour. Sinner then went on to lose in the final against Medvedev, with a score of 5-7, 3-6.

“Whenever we play, I think it’s very fun to watch and they are great matches,” said Alcaraz.

“I hope to have a rivalry with Jannik like the ones between great players like Rafa, Djokovic and Federer. Also, we get on well off-court,” he said.

Alcaraz certainly loves playing against Sinner and will be looking to build a rivalry with the Italian star. The pair could break their deadlock at the Barcelona Open if their paths cross in the semi-final.

READ MORE: Novak Djokovic on board the Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner rivalry hype train