Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz: Head-to-head, best matches, Cincinnati 2025

The rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has quickly become one of tennis’s most exciting, marked by powerful hitting and impressive agility. 

Although Alcaraz leads 8-5 in their rivalry, the Spaniard previously trailed Sinner 3-4; however, the 22-year-old has won five of the past six matches to open a significant lead on the Italian No. 1. 

The last four meetings have come in title matches in Beijing in 2024, followed by three finals in 2025.

Alcaraz defeated Sinner in Rome and at the French Open in June, despite being two sets down. The Spanish star saved three match points in the fourth set, but rallied to claim the victory in five thrilling sets after five hours and 29 minutes.

However, the Italian player ended a losing streak five weeks later in the Wimbledon final, thus breaking a five-match losing run against the Spanish star.

Both men will face off again in another final — their fourth in 2025 — in Cincinnati, with Sinner entering as defending champion and Alcaraz seeking his first title in Cincy.

Pulse Sports recalls every match between the two players, who have shared the last seven Grand Slams between them.

Roland Garros 2025 Final: Alcaraz d. Sinner 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(10-2)

Their first Grand Slam final was unforgettable. Alcaraz, defending champion, faced Sinner, who had not lost a set en route.

Sinner led two sets to love but lost his advantage. In the fourth, Alcaraz saved three match points and increased his intensity.

The final set was tense, with Sinner breaking back late, but Alcaraz’s near-perfect tie-break secured his fifth major. He called it the “most exciting match” he had played.

Rome Masters 2025 Final: Alcaraz d. Sinner 7-6(5), 6-1

Alcaraz ended Sinner’s 26-match winning streak in Rome with a high-quality performance.

Despite a strong home crowd supporting Sinner, Alcaraz stayed composed, saving two set points in the first set before winning a tie-break.

In the second set, he displayed excellent clay-court skills, outplaying Sinner with 18 winners to seven.

The Spaniard praised his mental and tactical approach, as well as Sinner’s comeback after a three-month absence.

The win marked Alcaraz’s 19th tour-level title, equal to Sinner’s, highlighting their rivalry.

China Open 2024 Final: Alcaraz d. Sinner 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3)

This three-hour, 21-minute match was the longest in Beijing tournament history, with Alcaraz securing his third straight win against Sinner in a contest filled with powerful shots and court coverage.

Alcaraz lost a 5-2 lead in the first set and the tie-break to drop the opening set.
Sinner, the world No. 1, had a strong tie-break record and led 3-0 in the deciding set’s tie-break, but Alcaraz played fearlessly, winning seven straight points to win the title.

Roland Garros 2024 Semi-Final: Alcaraz d. Sinner 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3

Both players were eager to reach their first French Open final despite injury worries.

Sinner started strong, taking a set and a break lead. As Sinner made more mistakes, Alcaraz improved and shifted the match’s momentum.

Sinner, suffering from cramps in his hand and arm in the third set, still held a two-sets-to-one lead. Alcaraz then turned the match around, using his rallying ability to create winning positions.

He hit 65 winners to Sinner’s 39, reaching the final after over four hours.

Despite losing, Sinner was guaranteed to become world No. 1.

Indian Wells 2024 Semi-Final: Alcaraz d. Sinner 1-6, 6-3, 6-2

Sinner arrived at this semi-final unbeaten in 2024, with a 16-0 record and an Australian Open title.

He was the slight favourite, and his strong start in the first set, where he led 6-1, seemed to confirm this.

However, Alcaraz remained determined, holding a crucial game early in the second set, stopped making mistakes and began to find his rhythm in longer rallies, using more variety.

In the final set, Alcaraz continued to adapt his tactics, losing only three points on his serve.

He also adjusted his return position, often starting rallies on the front foot.

After over two hours, Alcaraz won on his third match point, ending Sinner’s unbeaten season and reaching his sixth ATP Masters 1000 final.

Alcaraz credited his mental strength and tactical adjustments for the win. He went on to win the title against Daniil Medvedev.

China Open 2023 Semi-Final: Sinner d. Alcaraz 7-6(4), 6-1

After Alcaraz had won the opening set tie-breaks in their two previous encounters, Sinner won the first set tie-break by the same scoreline in Beijing.

Sinner fought back from two breaks down in the lengthy first set. He then started to control the match by moving Alcaraz around the baseline and won all 15 of his net points in that set.

In the second set, Sinner overcame five break points in his first two service games before quickly sealing the victory.

Sinner considered it one of his top matches, noting the mutual respect and high level of play between them.

He followed this win by beating Medvedev in the Beijing final, earning his fourth tour-level title of the season.

Miami Open, 2023 Semi-Final: Sinner d. Alcaraz 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2

Just two weeks after their Indian Wells match, Sinner got his revenge in Miami.

In an exciting semi-final, Sinner produced one of the points of the year — a 25-ball rally ending with a delicate passing shot.

Despite early leads in all three sets, Sinner faced two break points in the second set at 3-4.

He responded with a match-changing surge, winning 19 of 21 points to take the set and establish a 2-0 lead in the decider.

Alcaraz seemed to struggle physically in the third set but pushed hard. Ultimately, his 22 winners were not enough against Sinner’s 28.

Sinner was delighted to reach his second Miami final, highlighting the high level and aggressive play from both. He later won his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Toronto.

Indian Wells 2023 Semi-Final: Alcaraz d. Sinner 7-6(4), 6-3

Alcaraz won his third ATP Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells in 2023, returning to world No. 1. He did not drop a set, but Sinner challenged him in the semi-final.

The first set was dramatic, with Sinner going from 2-4 down to 5-4, winning 11 points in a row. Sinner had a set point at 6-5, but Alcaraz saved it with strong shots, leading to a tie-break.

Alcaraz dominated the tie-break and carried that momentum into the second set, securing an early break. He mixed up his shots, including a topspin lob, and served out with winners.

Alcaraz said he was happy to win and predicted a long rivalry.

US Open 2022 Quarter-Final: Alcaraz d. Sinner 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3

In one of the 2022 season’s most memorable matches, Alcaraz and Sinner battled late into the New York night for over five hours.

Both players displayed incredible athleticism and power. Sinner dominated the third-set tie-break to take a two-sets-to-one lead and broke early in the fourth.

However, a fearless Alcaraz saved a match point with Sinner serving at 5-4, then won four straight games to force a fifth set.

Again trailing by a break, Alcaraz repeated this feat, winning four consecutive games to claim victory at 2:50 a.m. Alcaraz expressed disbelief at his win and praised the incredible support from the crowd.
He went on to win his first major title at Flushing Meadows, becoming the youngest world No. 1 in ATP Rankings history.

Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag 2022 Final: Sinner d. Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-1

In their first championship match encounter, Sinner came back from a set down to prevent Alcaraz from defending his title in Croatia.

A crucial moment was Sinner’s hold of serve in the second game of the second set, where he saved six break points, preventing Alcaraz from potentially running away with the match.

Sinner then immediately broke Alcaraz’s serve and swiftly won the ATP 250 crown.

Sinner called that game a "crucial point," believing it was where he found his solution to win.

Wimbledon 2022 Fourth Round: Sinner d. Alcaraz 6-1, 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3

The 2022 Wimbledon encounter was their first Grand Slam meeting, offering a glimpse into the future of tennis.

Sinner dominated the early stages with his powerful hitting and had two match points to win in straight sets.

However, Alcaraz found his rhythm and took the third-set tie-break. As the match became more physical, Sinner held his nerve with two strong holds in the fourth set and then secured a decisive break.

After missing three more match points on return, Sinner served out the match, completing the win with a forehand winner.

Rolex Paris Masters 2021 Second Round: Alcaraz d. Sinner 7-6(1), 7-5

After their first match on the ATP Tour, Alcaraz predicted their rivalry. Alcaraz, then 18 and world No. 35, showed brave shot selection and powerful hitting to defeat the eighth seed.
He created 11 break opportunities, converting two of them.

The match in the Paris Masters Rolex Paris Masters marked the start of their tour-level rivalry, though Alcaraz had previously beaten Sinner as a 15-year-old in a Challenger event in 2019.