“Happy” Jannik Sinner Exceeds Expectations After Reaching the Quarter-Finals of the First Tournament on His Return from Suspension

Jannik Sinner beats Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(2), 6-3 to reach the Italian Open quarter-finals on his return to tour from suspension.

“Happy” Jannik Sinner Exceeds Expectations After Reaching the Quarter-Finals of the First Tournament on His Return from Suspension

Jannik Sinner (Image via X/GamebredSports)

Jannik Sinner passed his first great test since returning to the tour following suspension at the Italian Open. The Italian produced a clinical display to outclass his opponent, Francisco Cerundolo, and reached the quarter-finals in Rome. After the match, the World No.1 sounded happy to reach the last eight of his first tournament after being away for over three months.

Sinner arrived in Rome without a competitive match since January, but played great tennis to beat Mariano Navone in straight sets in the second round. He then continued with his impressive display by ousting Jesper De Jong in the third round. Ahead of the round of 16 clash, Cerundolo was his biggest test at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.

In fact, Cerundolo was in great form and reached the semifinals of the Madrid Open, losing to eventual champion Casper Ruud. The Argentine showed he was really in form against Sinner, as he battled for every point in the first set. Sinner edged him out after a tiebreak in an absorbing one hour and 17 minutes.

After that, Sinner was fully in control of the match, saving six of his eight break points. While leading 5-1 in the second set, he dropped a serve and let two match points slip before bringing an end to the match by winning 8-6(2), 6-3 in two hours and sixteen minutes. The victory was the 10th consecutive win this season.

After the match, he revealed that he was elated to be in the quarter-finals of his first tournament back on the tour. He was away from the men’s circuit due to a three-month suspension he served for twice testing positive for clostebol in March last year.

Yeah, I mean, quarters, it’s a great result, no? Coming back, I just tried to put myself in the best possible position to see what’s happening. I mean, I’m glad that today there were so many difficult situations. That’s exactly what I need, trying to find my rhythm again, trying to find my mental strength again, and everything together. Yeah, it was a great match today. Obviously very happy that I can play at least one more match. Let’s see what’s coming.

Jannik Sinner said via Rome Press

Sinner will take on Ruud in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open. It will be another major test for the Italian as Ruud is on a nine-match winning streak and is also the Madrid Open champion. He has more experience on clay than any player remaining in the draw.

Jannik Sinner is not certain about playing at the Hamburg Open a week before the French Open

Before Jannik Sinner returned to tour, it was announced that he will feature at the Hamburg Open, which begins a week before the French Open, May 18. The tournament was scheduled as a good warm-up ahead of the clay-court Grand Slam if the Italian Open didn’t go well. But after reaching the quarter-finals in Rome, Sinner revealed that he’s yet to decide whether he would compete in Hamburg.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/GamebredSports)

We’ll see how I feel physically, whether I go to Hamburg. The impact of the tournament is different. I already knew before the match that I would need to raise my level, plus I came out much more focused, and the warm-up was better. I was able to convey that, and the crowd gave me a huge round of applause. I’m trying to figure out what level I’m at. I need to give it a little more, we’re working on it day by day.

Jannik Sinner said

Sinner has not lost a match since the China Open in October, where Carlos Alcaraz defeated him in three sets. The 23-year-old is currently on a 24-match winning streak. He also joined Bjorn Borg and Roger Federer in securing 50 wins as World No.1.

He did that in just 53 matches. Federer achieved that with just 54 matches. The US Open champion’s consistency since taking over as World No. 1 has been nothing short of remarkable. He holds a winning percentage of 94.3%.

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