Wimbledon Champion Carlos Alcaraz was too strong for the returning World No.1 Yannik Sinner in the final of the Rome Open.
Alcaraz edged the first set via a tie-breaker but then dominated the second set to win the match 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 to claim the title.
Sinner was retuning from a three-month doping ban but had been in good form leading into the final with the young Spaniard. He was aiming to become the first Italian man to win the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976. However, it was Alcaraz who prevailed in the Italian capital, who now leads the career series 7-4.
Alcaraz will now head into the French Open next week as the favourite to retain his Grand Slam crown.