Rome (AP) - Carlos Alcaraz is a favorite of the French Open. Top ranking Jannik Sinner returns from his doping ban and recovers his full strength every day.

Roland Garros started Sunday before Sunday's verdict was the verdict.

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Alcaraz's title in Rome has raised his record at Clay this season to 15-1.

"Now, on clay, you're the best player," Sina told Alcalaz during the trophy ceremony after Espanyol won Sunday's championship 7-6 (5), 6-1.

Sinner earned two fixed points in his first game against Alcaraz in his first game after his three-month suspension.

"In three months, he's in a crazy level in this game," Alcalaz said. "He's going to get better and better. … He's going to be a real dangerous player in Paris."

If Alcaraz and Sinner meet again in Paris, it will be the final as Alcaraz is ranked second in the ranking on Monday, meaning they will be opposite Roland Garros’ draw.

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Alcaraz beat the French Open semifinals in five sets in the title last year. Alcaraz then defended his Wimbledon title for his fourth Grand Slam trophy.

"It's better to play him before two Grand Slams," Sina said. "Of course, with my moves, I need to better understand the location of some interiors. This is different on the clay on the hardhouse court. I need to improve something.

"The clay is the surface of my hardest time. There is no use to hide it," added Italian.

Indeed, Sinner won only one of his 19 career titles in the 2022 Clay title in Umag, Croatia, when he defeated Alcaraz in the final.

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Sinner has been three months away from the sport before he was unable to fight Alcaraz in the second set, with his home fans on Foro Italico.

"I certainly need to increase my intensity and last longer," Sina said. "I need to play more games."

Alcaraz won Sinner's 26-game winning streak, including the third Italian Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January.

"Paris will be a completely different game," Sina said. "It's a huge Grand Slam, which brings different emotions. Tensions will certainly increase because the Grand Slam is more important to me. But I like that."

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