Jannik Sinner will head into the French Open as the most overwhelming favourite to win the men’s title since Rafael Nadal’s heyday and with the career grand slam firmly in his sights.

The Italian will not even have to face Carlos Alcaraz, who beat him in a dramatic Roland Garros final last year, after his great rival was ruled out through injury.

Sinner could become the ninth man to complete the set of all four major titles, following in the footsteps of Alcaraz who achieved the feat at the Australian Open earlier this season.

The world No 1 could not be in better form after romping to the Italian Open crown on Sunday.

That final victory over Casper Ruud made the 24-year-old only the second player to win all nine Masters 1000 tournaments after Novak Djokovic, who is arguably his biggest rival for the Open, which starts on Sunday.

Sinner has won six consecutive Masters titles and is on a record-breaking 34-match winning streak at the level just below the slams.