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Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will finally face off for the first time in 2026, with a lot at stake. Not only will they be playing for the Monte Carlo Masters title on Sunday, but the world No. 1 ranking is also on the line. Sinner has never won a big title on the clay, while Alcaraz is the defending champion in Monaco.

No. 2 seed Sinner was the first to book his spot in the championship match when he claimed a 6-1 6-4 victory over Alexander Zverev in Saturday's first semi-final. And before Alcaraz had even taken to the court to face Valentin Vacherot, Sinner put the pressure on his Spanish rival's shoulders in anticipation of a 'Sincaraz' final.

The Italian didn't want to discount Vacherot, the reigning Shanghai Masters champion, who also had the added boost of playing in front of a home crowd in Monaco, but he knew Alcaraz was the favourite to come through that match.

And he also believes the world No. 1 will be the heavy favourite against him in the final, given that he had such a quick turnaround after winning the Miami Open just seven days before the Monte Carlo Masters got underway.

"He has a tough match now," Sinner said of Alcaraz. "Valentin, he continues to show what he is capable of, especially here, playing with the home crowd, even though Carlos is the favourite on that one.

"So, assuming if he wins, I'm looking forward to it. These are matches I practice for, why I wake up, and it's great to have at least one match before Roland Garros against him. That's, for sure, a big test for me.

"But look, in the same time, I have nothing to lose. Coming here, making the final, means a lot to me so I of course try to push as much as I can tomorrow on the last day. Now it's most important to rest, it was a good performance from my side and tomorrow is going to be a tough one."

While Sinner had barely any time to rest after completing the Sunshine Double - winning Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back - Alcaraz lost in the third round of the Miami Open, and had extra time to prepare for the clay swing. He's also already got two French Open titles and four Masters 1000s on the surface under his belt. The Italian has zero.

However, Sinner is very hungry to change that. On multiple occasions this year, the world No. 2 has admitted that winning the French Open is one of his main goals. Last year, Sinner held three championship points over Alcaraz in the final in Paris, but lost in five sets.

And judging by his post-match comments in Monaco, this is all just extra preparation for Sinner to try and lift the French Open trophy in just under two months' time.

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