After a couple of weeks in Rome that started with the return of the prodigal son and then took in the election of a new Pope will get a fittingly blockbuster ending: the world’s two best male players facing off for the Italian Open title.

The two young rivals have won the last five grand slam titles, with Sinner winning three in a row on the hard-courts of the Australian Open and the US Open and Alcaraz conquering the other surfaces by winning the French Open and Wimbledon.

Jannik Sinner advanced to the Rome Open final, where he will face Carlos Alcaraz, and the Italian provided a health update after showing signs of discomfort during the semifinal match.