Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy at the awarding ceremony for the men's singles final between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Casper Ruud of Norway at the ATP Italian Open in Rome, Italy, May 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
ROME, May 17 (Xinhua) -- World No. 1 Jannik Sinner defeated 23rd seed Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 45 minutes in the men's singles final at the Italian Open on Sunday, capturing his maiden Rome title and becoming the youngest player in history to complete the Career Golden Masters.
Ruud opened the match with a clear tactical approach, using extended rallies and frequent drop shots to test Sinner physically. The Norwegian earned an early break in the second game to move ahead 2-0.
Sinner gradually settled into the match and the two players remained level at 4-4 before the decisive ninth game. The Italian repeatedly used delicate drop shots to win points and eventually secured the crucial break before serving out the set 6-4.
Sinner raised his first-serve percentage in the second set, breaking Ruud in the opening game with a backhand down-the-line winner. The world No. 1 continued to apply pressure from the baseline, but faced a tense moment in the eighth game when an overhead error handed Ruud a break point. Sinner saved it and held serve to maintain his advantage. He later sealed the victory with a forehand winner to close out another 6-4 set.
With the win, Sinner became only the second player after Novak Djokovic to win all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles. He also became the first player in history to win six consecutive Masters 1000 tournaments, and the first Italian men's singles champion in Rome since 1976.
"Not starting the match in a perfect way, but I tried to stay as calm as possible mentally," Sinner said after the match.
He added that he knew exactly what he was playing for and that there was "no better place" than Rome to complete the achievement, describing the Italian Open as one of the most special tournaments for Italian players.
In the doubles final, home pair Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori defeated second seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 7-6 (8), 6-7 (3), 10-3 to become the first Italian men's doubles champions in Rome in 66 years.
Earlier in the women's doubles final, Russian pair Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider beat Cristina Bucsa and Nicole Melichar-Martinez 6-3, 6-3 to claim their third title as a team. ■
Jannik Sinner celebrates after winning the men's singles final between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Casper Ruud of Norway at the ATP Italian Open in Rome, Italy, May 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Jannik Sinner (L) and Casper Ruud pose for a photo at the awarding ceremony for the men's singles final between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Casper Ruud of Norway at the ATP Italian Open in Rome, Italy, May 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Jannik Sinner reacts at the awarding ceremony for the men's singles final between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Casper Ruud of Norway at the ATP Italian Open in Rome, Italy, May 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Jannik Sinner celebrates a point during the men's singles final between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Casper Ruud of Norway at the ATP Italian Open in Rome, Italy, May 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Jannik Sinner (2nd R) of Italy signs for the fans after the men's singles final between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Casper Ruud of Norway at the ATP Italian Open in Rome, Italy, May 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy after the men's singles final between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Casper Ruud of Norway at the ATP Italian Open in Rome, Italy, May 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Jannik Sinner (L) celebrates with Casper Ruud at the awarding ceremony for the men's singles final between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Casper Ruud of Norway at the ATP Italian Open in Rome, Italy, May 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Jannik Sinner kisses the trophy at the awarding ceremony for the men's singles final between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Casper Ruud of Norway at the ATP Italian Open in Rome, Italy, May 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Jannik Sinner poses with the trophy at the awarding ceremony for the men's singles final between Jannik Sinner of Italy and Casper Ruud of Norway at the ATP Italian Open in Rome, Italy, May 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
