Sinner stops Alcaraz juggernaut

Jannik Sinner called a temporary halt to the progress of Carlos Alcaraz as the Italian won the ATP 250 title in Umag with a storming 6-7(5), 6-1 6-1 comeback victory in Sunday’s final.

The Croat final success was the first this season for Sinner, who had been plagued with injury setbacks.

Alcaraz, the 19-year-old tipped as Rafael Nadal’s heir-apparent, was brought back to earth in two and a half hours with six aces and five breaks of serve.

The second-seeded Sinner salvaged all nine break points he faxed as he schooled the Iberian pretender.

“I am obviously very happy,” the winner said. “I’ve had a tough year until now, 

“I had some unfortunate moments, but we worked every time to play better, to be a better player, to be a better person. 

“I’m very happy to be finally lifting a trophy this year, but I know that I still have a lot of things to improve. “

Sinner backed up his victory over Alcaraz from a month ago when he also won in the Wimbledon fourth round.

Sinner made his main stand in the victory in the in the second game of the second set as he struggled to overcome the loss of the opener,

The 20-year-old fought off six break points to hold before breaking his frustrated opponent a game later.

“That was a crucial point,” Sinner said. “I knew I had to stay there. 

“I was very happy I won this game. Then I returned well and raised my level a little bit, and I think I found a solution then.”

Alcaraz has now gone down in two straight finals in a week, losing last Sunday to Lorenzo Musetti in Hamburg last Sunday.