The Spaniard took advantage of mechanical problems suffered by Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull to lead home Felipe Massa in a Ferrari 1-2, while seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher also finished in the points with a sixth-place finish in his first race since ending his three-year retirement.
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, claimed third place while last season's runner-up and pole-sitter Vettel managed to hang on for fourth despite his exhaust failure on lap 35 of 49.
Schumacher's Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg was fifth, while reigning world champion Jenson Button finished seventh for McLaren in a race that he won last year.
In the previous six years that the race has been held, the winner has gone on to claim the drivers' crown.
Schumacher did so after winning the inaugural event in 2004, while Alonso did so in 2005 and 2006.
Massa, making his first F1 race outing since his horror accident in Hungary last July, was the victor in 2007 and 2008 -- when he finished second overall behind Hamilton.
Under the new points system for this season, Alonso earned 25 points to be eight clear of Massa as Ferrari made a big start in trying to eradicate memories of last year's poor season.
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