Jannik Sinner emerged victorious in the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling three-set encounter. The Italian rallied from a set down to secure a 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3 triumph, claiming the $6 million prize money.
Despite the match not counting towards their official ATP head-to-head records, the win was significant for Sinner, who had lost all three previous meetings with Alcaraz this year. The Italian’s victory was particularly impressive considering Alcaraz’s recent dominance on the tour.
The opening set was a closely contested affair, with both players holding serve until the tiebreaker. Alcaraz eventually prevailed in the tiebreaker, taking the set 7-5. However, Sinner responded strongly in the second set, breaking Alcaraz’s serve twice to level the match at one set apiece.
The third set proved to be decisive, with Sinner maintaining his momentum and breaking Alcaraz’s serve once again. The Italian never faced a break point in the final set, sealing the victory with a break of serve in the eighth game.
After the match, Sinner expressed his admiration for Alcaraz and the impact their rivalry has on his game. “I wake up in the morning trying to understand the ways to beat him,” Sinner said. “These kind of rivalries and players push us to our 100% limit.”
Alcaraz, for his part, acknowledged the intensity of their rivalry and the motivation it provides. “I want to say I’m grateful to have him around on tour,” Alcaraz said. “I give my 100% every day to be a better player.”
The Six Kings Slam exhibition event featured some of the world’s top tennis players, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. The event provided a unique opportunity for fans to witness some of the most exciting rivalries in the sport.
