Jannik Sinner reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking by overpowering Carlos Alcaraz to win the Monte-Carlo Masters final Sunday.

The 24-year-old Italian player ground his way to a 7-6 (5), 6-3 win in difficult conditions as the top two players in men’s tennis met on clay for the first time since last year’s epic French Open final, which Alcaraz won in five sets.

Ultimately it was Sinner who dealt better with the swirling wind in Monaco to extend his winning run at the Masters 1000 level to 22 matches and reduce his head-to-head deficit with the Spaniard to 10-7.

“We came here just trying to get as many matches as possible, having good feedback before other big tournaments coming up,” Sinner said on court. “Today was very high level from both of us.

“… Getting back to No. 1 means a lot to me. At the same, as I always say, the ranking is secondary. I’m very happy to win at least one big trophy on this surface. I haven’t done it before, so it means a lot to me.”

In the new rankings released Monday, Sinner moved 110 points ahead of Alcaraz, who had been No. 1 since November.

“It’s nice, obviously. I would be a liar to say anything else,” Sinner said. “But it doesn’t change my thought process. I’m playing to win tournaments and Carlos and I are very close, so the rankings can change from one week to the next.

“There are two big Slams coming up, Paris and London. Let’s see where we are after those tournaments,” Sinner added. “Right now, I’m focusing more on those than on the ranking. But waking up again as No. 1 is pretty nice.”

Alcaraz raced to a 2-0 first-set lead, holding comfortably in the opening game before converting his first break point in the second, during which he produced two fine forehands as Sinner struggled to land his first serve.

Broken back instantly, Alcaraz then had to survive break points in the fifth and ninth games as Sinner piled on the pressure in an error-strewn first set that went to a tiebreak.

Alcaraz was first to falter as Sinner, who had found a serving rhythm, established a 5-2 lead only to put a forehand into the net on set point. Perhaps fittingly, he eventually took the tiebreaker 7-5 courtesy of a double fault.

In the opening game of the second set, Alcaraz was unable to convert two break points to let Sinner off the hook. Alcaraz eventually went a break up, but Sinner continued to pressure the 22-year-old’s serve and eventually broke back in the sixth game.

Sinner repeated the feat two games later to establish a 5-3 lead and served out the win in 2 hours, 15 minutes.

“I’m not surprised,” said Alcaraz, who had won his last 17 matches on clay. “We’ve already seen his level on this surface and he’s improving a lot year after year. He can win any tournament on any surface. He understands the game very well on clay.”

The Associated Press and PA contributed to this report.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Tornado Watch has come to an end tonight. Storms will exit around our eastern counties around midnight tonight. They still pose the threats of strong winds and hail, tornado threat is very low.

After midnight, we will be dry the rest of the night with no storm threats. The next storm threat builds Tuesday afternoon to night. While the severe threat comes to an end shortly after midnight, Douglas, Franklin counties are in a Flood Warning until 12:30 AM. A Flood Warning is in place for Cass, Johnson, Miami counties until 4 AM Tuesday.

Tonight, partly cloudy skies persist with breezy conditions. Low temperatures by Tuesday begin in the upper 60s, around 68 degrees. This would tie the record warmest low temperature from 2006.

Tuesday: First Warn — Warm & Breezy, Severe Storms Possible Late

We’re warm and dry to begin Tuesday but clouds increase by the afternoon when our storm chances rise. Severe weather risks return Tuesday afternoon and evening. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a 2/5 severe risk, as storms may fire up in Kansas and blow our way by late afternoon and into the night, mainly between 6 pm – midnight. It is not certain that these storms will be able to pop, but if they do, they will bring risks for hail, severe winds, and possibly even a few brief tornadoes. Overall, hail and wind will be the primary threats

What to expect: A 60% chance of rain and severe storms, mainly late in the day through the night. Otherwise, skies will be partly cloudy with highs surging into the upper 80s with southwest gusting to 30 mph.

To get the latest weather updates sent to your phone, download the KCTV5 Weather app here.

First Warn Wednesday: Another Severe Threat

A second round of severe storms could impact the region Wednesday, though it depends on Tuesday’s storms clearing out first. The setup is similar, with strong to severe storms possible late in the day and into the night, a level 2/5 risk for severe storms. All hazards are possible, but hail and wind will be the primary threats. However, spotty to scattered rain & storms will be possible in the morning hours, if this occurs it may impact chances later on in the day.

What to expect: Rain and storm chances at 60%. Temperatures will be slightly cooler in the upper 70s. Breezy conditions continue throughout the day.

Gorgeous Thursday Awaits

Thursday will be dry, sunny, and warm with temperatures climbing back into the mid 80s. No storms in the forecast.

Friday: First Warn — Severe Threat Returns Again

Storm chances are back, with a line of storms possible late in the day and into the night. Some of these may again be strong to severe with a level 2/5 risk, if they occur wind and hail, are the primary threats. Before they arrive, it will be another unusually warm day with highs in the low 80s and gusty south winds to 35 mph.

What to expect: Breezy conditions and a 70% chance of storms. Storms will be most likely after sunset.

The Weekend – Big Cool-Down

We may have lingering rain Saturday morning (40% chance), but it will quickly clear out and remain dry for the rest of the weekend. It will be much cooler with highs in the upper 50s Saturday and mid-60s Sunday with breezy northwest winds.

The 2025-26 NHL regular season is approaching its final day, and for many of the teams playing on Monday, their fate vis-a-vis the postseason has been sealed — whether with a playoff spot, or a guaranteed entry into the 2026 NHL draft lottery taking place on May 5.

But, there are many seeds that have yet to be locked in ahead of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs beginning on ESPN this Saturday, and the draft lottery order has yet to be finalized as well.

So without any further preamble, let’s get to what’s at stake in each of Monday’s 10 games. Jump ahead to clinching scenarios.

Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Lightning
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Lightning remain in the thick of the battle for the top seed in the Atlantic Division, which would earn a matchup with the Bruins or Senators in Round 1. If they finish second or third, they’ll take on the Sabres or Canadiens. All three teams have either 104 or 106 points, and the Sabres have an edge by one in the regulation wins column. Detroit was eliminated from postseason possibilities with a loss to the Devils on Saturday, and their first-round pick belongs to the Blues. Currently that pick is 14th overall, but these last two games (and the draft lottery) will determine where it ultimately lands.

New York Rangers at Florida Panthers
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Speaking of the draft lottery, the Rangers moved up into third with the Flames’ win on Sunday (based on tiebreakers). However, that is as high as they can get, as the Blackhawks have 70 points (to the Rangers’ 75) with two games left. The Panthers are seventh in the draft lottery order with two games to go, one back of the Kraken and two back of the Maple Leafs in fifth.

Carolina Hurricanes at Philadelphia Flyers
7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Unsurprisingly, the Hurricanes have locked in yet another Metro Division title, and are closing in on clinching the top seed in the Eastern Conference. A win of any kind or an overtime/shootout loss gets it done. The Flyers, surprisingly, charged their way into a playoff spot in recent weeks. A win for them of any variety clinches their spot in the playoffs, and a first-round series against the Penguins. An OT/shootout loss knocks out the Blue Jackets. A regulation loss for Philly makes the Capitals-Blue Jackets game on Tuesday very interesting, and makes the Flyers’ game against the Canadiens a must-win.

Dallas Stars at Toronto Maple Leafs
7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Dallas is locked in as the No. 2 seed in the Central Division, with home-ice advantage against the Wild in Round 1; based on what we saw in the two teams’ matchup last week, this is going to be a great series! The Maple Leafs are in a captivating spot; their 2026 first-round pick will be shipping up to Boston… unless it lands in the Top 5. They are currently fifth in the draft lottery order, so if nothing changes (and no teams jump into the first five picks due to the lottery), they keep it. If they earn some points with wins or OT/shootout losses down the stretch, they might lose it. (And Maple Leafs fans might “lose it,” too.)

Minnesota Wild at St. Louis Blues
8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Wild are locked in as the No. 3 seed, skating against the Stars in Round 1, and don’t have a shot to break their franchise record in points, either; the current title holder there is the 2021-22 team that racked up 113. The Blues are right in the middle of the draft lottery order right now, in eighth position with 80 points and 30 regulation wins; based on their final three games — and those of the teams near them — they can finish as high in the lottery order as fifth, or as low as 11th.

San Jose Sharks at Nashville Predators
8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Sharks have very little wiggle room to make a courageous run into the playoffs. In order to land ahead of the Kings and Predators, they either need five points in their final three games with L.A. and Nashville getting none in its final slate; or, three wins in three games if Nashville or L.A. subsequently loses one of its final two games in OT/shootout. They’ll control their own fate here against the Preds, but the Kings play the three worst teams in the Pacific in their final three. With 86 points banked, the Predators have a slightly better shot to earn the wild card, but again… L.A. faces Seattle, Calgary and Vancouver.

Buffalo Sabres at Chicago Blackhawks
8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Sabres are currently top dog in the Atlantic, and control their own destiny in staying there. On the other side, the Blackhawks are locked in to the No. 2 position in the draft lottery order, meaning they will pick no worse than No. 4 overall in June’s first round.

Colorado Avalanche at Edmonton Oilers
9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Avs clinched the Presidents’ Trophy — and home-ice advantage as long as they remain in the playoffs — last week, and will skate against the Western Conference’s second wild card (L.A., Nashville, San Jose or Winnipeg). The Oilers dropped out of the top spot in the Pacific over the weekend, but can get back on top if they make up one point on the Golden Knights, as they hold the regulation wins tiebreaker.

Los Angeles Kings at Seattle Kraken
9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Despite some shakiness earlier this season, the Kings have put the pedal to the metal in recent play, going 6-1-3 in their last 10 to take control of the second wild card in the West. A win here eliminates both the Jets and the Sharks — what a West Side story that would be — and if Nashville loses in regulation to San Jose, the wild-card spot would be clinched for L.A. If not, the Kings get another chance to clinch on Tuesday, against the Canucks.

Winnipeg Jets at Vegas Golden Knights
10 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Jets are in a similar spot to the Sharks when it comes to making a run into the playoffs; they need to win here and then a lot of help elsewhere to pull it off. The Golden Knights are heating up at the right time, and are undefeated in regulation since hiring John Tortorella to replace Bruce Cassidy. A win here combined with an Oilers’ loss to the Avalanche would clinch the Pacific; if both of those things don’t happen, we’ll have to wait until Wednesday (and maybe Thursday) to learn the identity of the division champ.

Every team has three or fewer games remaining before the regular season concludes on Thursday, and we’ll help you keep track of it all here on the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we’ll provide details on all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2026 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s schedule
Last night’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1 Boston Bruins
A2 Montreal Canadiens vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning

M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 Ottawa Senators
M2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers

Western Conference

C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Los Angeles Kings
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild

P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Anaheim Ducks

Today’s games

Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).

Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.
New York Rangers at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m.
Minnesota Wild at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.
Buffalo Sabres at Chicago Blackhawks, 8:30 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at Edmonton Oilers, 9:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Seattle Kraken, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Winnipeg Jets at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.

Clinching scenarios

The Flyers clinch a playoff spot (No. 3 seed in the Metro), and would be locked in to a playoff series against the No. 2 seeded Penguins if they beat the Hurricanes in any fashion.

The idle Ducks will secure a playoff ticket if the Sharks beat the Predators in any fashion.

The Kings earn their spot in the postseason if they beat the Kraken in any fashion, and the Sharks defeat the Preds in regulation.

The Hurricanes clinch the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference if they win or lose in overtime/shootout to the Flyers, or if the Blackhawks defeat the Sabres in any fashion.

The Sabres clinch the Atlantic Division title if:

• They beat the Blackhawks in regulation, and with any result in Lightning-Red Wings other than a regulation win for the Lightning

• They beat the Blackhawks in OT/shootout, and the Red Wings beat the Lightning in any fashion

Last night’s scoreboard

Washington Capitals 3, Pittsburgh Penguins 0
Montreal Canadiens 4, New York Islanders 1
Boston Bruins 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
New Jersey Devils 4, Ottawa Senators 3 (OT)
Vancouver Canucks 4, Anaheim Ducks 3 (OT)
Calgary Flames 4, Utah Mammoth 1

Expanded standings

Note: An “x” with a team’s name means the club has clinched a playoff spot; a “y” means that they have clinched the division; a “z” indicates that they have clinched the best record in the conference; a “p” means they have clinched the top overall seed. An “e” means that the club has been mathematically eliminated. Teams clinch a playoff spot when their magic number reaches zero and are mathematically eliminated when their tragic number reaches zero.

Atlantic Division

Metro Division

Central Division

Pacific Division

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Atop draft boards for this summer is Gavin McKenna, a forward for Penn State.

*Note: The Maple Leafs’ pick belongs to the Bruins, unless it lands in the top five. The Panthers’ pick belongs to the Flames, unless it lands in the top 10. The Red Wings’ pick belongs to the Blues, unconditionally.