Sinner writes history, he is king of Rome fifty years after Panatta: Ruud defeated with a double 6-4

Jannik Sinner beats Casper Ruud to win the Italian Open, exactly fifty years after the last Italian triumph, won by Adriano Panatta in 1976 .

The world number 1, having overcome some initial worries, took off in the decisive moments of the first set and then flew towards victory, obtained with the score of 6-4, 6-4.

Panatta himself was there to present him the trophy, together with the president of the Fitp Angelo Binaghi and the Head of State Sergio Mattarella, and he warmly embraced him.

The match

Partly due to the fatigue accumulated over the past few months, partly due to the emotion of the final at the Foro, Jannik's start isn't the best. Few first serves, little depth, and the Norwegian quickly takes a 2-0 lead . This is unusual for Sinner, who has consistently started ahead in this tournament, weakening his opponents' hopes from the first few games. The world number one, however, reacts like a champion and with the first burst of the match, a splendid backhand winner down the line, secures the immediate counterbreak . The match goes on hold until 4-all, when Jannik breaks his opponent's serve with three drop points (two perfectly executed, winners; on the third, Ruud recovers but misses) and then takes the first set, holding the next service game to love.

It's the turning point of the match. Now the South Tyrolean's arm is looser, the first serves are coming in, and the ball is much faster. So, in a flash , Jannik scores another break at the start of the second set, thanks to his trademark backhand down the line winner . And for Ruud, the mountain to climb becomes ever higher. The Norwegian, however, deserves credit for not giving up: he clings to his service games, even saving a double break point. And thanks to a missed smash from Sinner, he has the chance to get back into the match and take the score to 4-all, but Jannik promptly cancels it out, leaving him no chance with his serve-forward pattern. It's the Norwegian's last chance, because in the next service game, Sinner immediately makes things clear with a fabulous backhand winner and easily closes out the game (except for mother Siglinde, who continues to suffer and covers her eyes to avoid seeing) at love, for a final score of 6-4. After his final shot, a forehand winner, Jannik can smile, raise his arms to the sky, and surrender to the embrace of the 12,000 people at the Foro Italico.

The numbers

With this title, the Italian completes the so-called Career Golden Masters, a title reserved for those who manage to win all nine Masters 1000 tournaments at least once in their career. A feat that not even Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have managed to complete. The only one to do so was Novak Djokovic, who, however, completed the circle at 31. Jannik did it while still in his 25th year. Simply monstrous.

Overall, this is Sinner's 29th trophy on the ATP circuit, his tenth in the "1000".

Sinner also extended his streak of consecutive Masters 1000 titles (6, also a record), and of Masters 1000 match wins (34, another record previously held by Djokovic, who stopped at 31) . Since March, he has known no defeat: he has triumphed in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, for a total of 28 victories. No one had ever managed to win the first five Masters 1000 tournaments of the season.

And again, if we stick to clay, he achieves a feat only achieved by the undisputed king of the surface, Rafael Nadal: winning all three 1000m tournaments in the same year. The Majorcan also added Roland Garros; we'll see if Jannik can do the same. Now a week of rest, then on to the Parisian clay and 3 out of 5 matches.

The statements

It's incredible. It's been 50 years since an Italian won here. I'm happy that one of us managed to do it. Today was very, very difficult, there was a lot of tension. The tennis on court wasn't perfect, but it's been an incredible two and a half months . I tried to get in the best possible condition. Not every day is easy, but I'm happy.

These are Jannik Sinner 's words immediately after his triumph at the Italian Open: "Physically it was very tough," he said, thanking his trainers, "those who take care of my body are as important as those who take care of my tennis."

Casper Ruud , too, was greeted with prolonged applause from the Forum at the awards ceremony: after congratulating Jannik, who "is making tennis history," and his team, the tennis player indulged in a joke. "Things are going a little differently in football," he said, given that his Norway team won our group, handing us two tough lessons and forcing us into the World Cup playoffs, where we were eliminated.

Adriano Panatta was also emotional: "Seeing Jannik win at the Foro Italico Centre Court was something special. I experienced a life-changing day here in '76, and to meet an Italian today who can assert himself with this personality and this style of play is truly gratifying . Against a solid opponent like Casper Ruud, he showed maturity, calm, and courage in the crucial moments. The Roman crowd had been waiting for a moment like this and they recognize those who enter the court with respect and character, and Jannik took it all today. Jannik is an example for everyone, I offer him my congratulations."