ROME (Reuters) -World number one Jannik Sinner produced a sublime semi-final display as he fought back from a set down to beat American Tommy Paul 1-6 6-0 6-3 on Friday to set up an Italian Open final showdown with Carlos Alcaraz.

World No 1 Sinner is through to his first Italian Open final in his home country, in what is his first tournament since returning to the sport following a three-month doping ban. He has won 26 consecutive matches but Alcaraz was the last player to beat him, at the China Open in October.

Sunday’s final will mark the first meeting between Sinner and Alcaraz since October, when Alcaraz won the China Open final in a third-set tiebreaker. Alcaraz holds a 6-4 edge in their career meetings and has won three straight against his biggest rival.