Jannik Sinner (C) gestures as he leaves after losing to Carlos Alcaraz (L) at the end of their semifinal match in Paris on Saturday. AFP

Italy's Jannik Sinner officially rose to world number one in the ATP rankings on Monday, Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Australian Open winner Sinner, 22, from South Tyrol, is the first Italian to get the top spot in world tennis. Fellow Italian Jasmine Paolini rose from number 12 to seven after the pair's good performances at the French Open.

Paolini, 28, got to her first slam final but was outclassed by world number one Iga Swiatek of Poland, who claimed her fourth French title and third in a row.

Sinner made the remarkable achievement despite losing in the semi-final at Roland Garros to eventual winner Carlos Alcaraz of Spain. Alcaraz, now the world number two, has overtaken Serb Novak Djokovic, who moves down from one to three in the rankings.

WAM