Rome champ not resting on his laurels

Carlos Alcaraz won the Rome Open on Sunday after beating Jannik Sinner in straight sets, but the Spaniard expects his rival to be "really dangerous" at Roland Garros, as the Italian ace ramps up on his return from a three-month doping ban.

Alcaraz fended off two set points late in the first, and then seized control in the tie-break, before pulling away for a 7-6 (5), 6-1 win, his fourth in a row over the Italian world No 1.

Alcaraz snapped Sinner's 26-match winning run to claim his first Rome crown and seventh Masters 1000 title, denying Italy its first male champion at the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976.

Alcaraz was also the last player to beat Sinner, in last year's China Open final.

Sunday's showdown could well be a prelude to the French Open final, with Sinner and Alcaraz set to be kept apart in the draw, as the latter returned to second in the rankings on Monday.

Alcaraz, who beat Sinner in a five-set semifinal en route to the Roland Garros trophy 12 months ago, has few doubts the Italian will again be a major contender in the French capital.

"The level he has played in this tournament is insane after three months without playing, without any tournament," said Alcaraz.

"I mean, what he has done, it's amazing. I mean, it's something that I have to respect.

"I'm pretty sure he's going to be better and better. This week of practicing, he's going to feel better. If he's winning in Roland Garros, and he goes far, I think he's going to feel much better.

"He's going to be a really dangerous player in Paris."