Second Serve: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner renew rivalry which could become one for the ages

Alcaraz understands he has to go to a different place to get the better of Sinner, who was on a 26-match winning streak going into the Rome final.

Alcaraz, a gifted and sometimes flashy shot-maker, can sometimes lose focus or discipline on court.

But there was none of that in a disciplined performance against Sinner.

“If I don’t play at my best it’s going to be impossible to beat him,” Alcaraz said afterwards.

“That’s why I’m more focused when I’m playing against him, or I feel a little bit different when I’m going to face him.”

It was a final many in the sport wanted, one everybody was excited about.

And it was another tantalising reminder of how the Alcaraz and Sinner rivalry – which the ATP Tour has long pinned its hopes on filling the Federer-Nadal-Djokovic void – could be a blockbuster for years to come.

“I’m not going to say I’m feeling like when Rafa and Roger are playing,” Alcaraz added.

“But I’m feeling like it is a different energy when we are facing each other than other players.”

Roll on Roland Garros. The smart money would go on the top two seeds meeting again in the French Open men’s final.