Jannik Sinner will hope to follow in Jasmine Paolini’s footsteps at the Italian Open today as he faces Carlos Alcaraz in a high-profile men’s final.

Saturday saw Paolini become the first home winner of one of the singles titles in Rome for 40 years as she brushed aside Coco Gauff in straight sets, 6-4 6-2, ensuring a move up to No2 in the WTA rankings ahead of the French Open next week.

Not since Raffaella Reggi in 1985 had there been an Italian winner at the clay competition, but now there could be two in the same weekend as Sinner eyes glory on Sunday.

The reigning world No1 has made a successful return to the court this week after a three-month ban from tennis that followed his second successive Australian Open triumph in January, dropping only one set in five consecutive victories over Mariano Navone, Jesper De Jong, Francisco Cerundolo, Casper Ruud and Tommy Paul.

He now faces his toughest test against third seed Alcaraz, who is into his third straight final after impressive performances on the red dust in both Monte Carlo and Barcelona in recent weeks as he warms up for his title defence at Roland Garros.

With seven Grand Slam crowns between them, this afternoon’s contest is guaranteed to be entertaining as the pair meet for the 11th time on the ATP Tour.

Jannik Sinner is into his first Rome final and now has a showdown with Carlos Alcaraz.

Jannik Sinner had admitted he was ‘happy’ to survive a semi-final battle with Tommy Paul as the Italian won 1-6 6-0 6-3 to reach his first Rome final.

The world number one was outplayed in the opening set but came back into the match against an inspired Tommy Paul.

After whitewashing Paul in the second set, Sinner took the opening three games of the decider as he looked on course to cruise to victory.

However, Paul came back in the match as he got the break back before Sinner secured victory and his place in the final of Rome.

Having not played for three months it’s safe to say that this was a battle Sinner needed ahead of Roland Garros, “You know, these kind of matches I need. I’m happy how we handled this kind of situation, especially going on court and not feeling great,” the Italian admitted in his press conference.

“I felt like Tommy was playing some great tennis in the beginning. I changed little bit tactically which then helped me to go through the second set. Third set I just tried to start off in a very positive way, which I’ve done. Then he broke me back. Then was this game on 3-2 which was the most crucial game of the match I felt like.

“I’m happy. Happy to be here in the final. It’s great coming back and making final here in Rome. It means a lot to me.”

The world number one looks on course to continue his dominance on the road to Roland Garros but a big test is coming in the final.

That’s because he takes on defending Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz who he lost to in five sets in last year’s semi-finals in Paris.

The two this year won’t meet until the final and Sinner has acknowledged that this will be a tester to see where his game is at heading into the second Grand Slam of the year, “We know each other quite well now. It’s always special to share the court with him. I feel like we both know how to play against each other a little bit, so we have to be prepared tactically,” Sinner observed.

“Of course, small things are going to be changed. This, yes. But it’s just a great test for me to see where I am. It’s great for me to play against Carlos before the two Grand Slams. That for me is good because I see where I have to improve, what I have to do better.

“But yeah, hopefully it’s going to be a good match. I feel like this is the most important part. Yeah, but in any case what’s coming out Sunday, a great tournament from my side, making such a run here, it feels good.”

Sunday will be the 11th match between the two players with Alcaraz winning on six occasions.