Italy’s Janek Sner defeated Norway’s Casper Rudd in the final to retain the trophy. (AP Photo)
In a historic display of dominance, Janic Sner on Sunday became the first Italian man to win the Rome Masters in 50 years since Adriano Panatta in 1976. The 24-year-old world No. 1 clinched the Italian Open title with a clinical 6-4, 6-4 victory over Casper Ruud in the final on the red clay of the Foro Italico, becoming only the second player to do so. Novak Djokovic To win all nine Masters 1000 events – the biggest tournaments outside the Grand Slams.“There’s no better place to finish this set,” Sinner said of completing the career Golden Masters. “For an Italian, this is one of the most special places where we play tennis. It means a lot to me to win at least once in my career.” As Panatta watched from the front row, an apparently emotional sinner addressed the legend: “Adriano, 50 years later, we have won a very important trophy.”The current form of the sinner is nothing short of legendary. The win marks his sixth consecutive Masters 1000 title and extends his winning streak at this level to a record-breaking 34 matches. In all competitions, he went 29 matches unbeaten, a streak that lasted until mid-February. At the age of 24, he became the youngest to win all nine Masters 1000 events while Djokovic accomplished the feat in 2018 at the age of 31. The atmosphere at the Campo Centrale was electric, with 10,500 fans creating a dynamic, football-style atmosphere in support of Italy’s most famous player. Angelo Binghi, president of the Italian Tennis Federation, suggested that even if Rome had a 25,000-seat Center Court – larger than the US Open’s Arthur Ashe Stadium, the world’s largest tennis arena – it would be full.In a day to remember for the host nation, Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavasori became the first Italian pair to win the men’s doubles title in Rome since 1960. Bolelli and Vavasori defeated Marcel Granollers and Horatio Zebalos 7-6 (8), 6-7 (3), 10-3.With his collection of “Golden Masters” now complete, all eyes have turned to Roland Garros. The French Open is the final piece of the puzzle for Sner to complete a career Grand Slam. With rival Carlos Alcaraz out with a wrist injury and the junior boasting an unblemished 17-0 record on clay this year, the Italian is the favorite to win the title in Paris.
