Jannik Sinner left Indian Wells. © AFP / ANGELA WEISS
For Jannik Sinner, the Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells (California) ended on Thursday night (CEST) in the round of 16.
October 14, 2021
Author: it
The local tennis fans were amazed when Taylor Fritz cleared Italy’s best player Matteo Berrettini in two straight sentences on Tuesday, thus preventing a dream duel with Jannik Sinner. At the latest after the round of 16 against the same Sinner it is clear: This US boy is currently not acting like the number 39 in the world, but rather like a top 10 player. The local hero from California won against the Sextner in two sets 6: 4, 6: 4.
However, it must also be mentioned that Sinner did not have his best day on Thursday night (CEST). The 20-year-old, who had made it to the round of 16 without a fight due to the early departure of John Isner, had significant problems with his first serve, often seemed taken by surprise by the force of the opponent and made mistakes at the worst moments. There were therefore a noticeable number of desperate looks in the direction of the trainer box.
Taylor Fritz is currently showing great tennis.
What is to be credited to Sinner again, however, is his exemplary attitude. Across sets, the player from Pusteria lost 8 games in a row and was 0: 4 behind in the second section, but instead of letting go, he fought on and came up to 2: 4 and 3: 5. In the end, thanks to two break chances, he could have cut it to 4: 5 and served to equalize, but his opponent was just too strong.
Suddenly the worm is inside
The match began for Sinner as desired. Although he gave up the service once, he was able to take advantage of two break opportunities for himself. That’s why he was 4-2 ahead at times. Ultimately, the eighth game should prove to be a “game changer”. Instead of pulling away on his own serve to 5: 3, Sinner made three unnecessary mistakes of his own (one of which was a double fault), which is why Fritz was able to equalize to 4: 4. Now the shooting star, who lost the set with 4: 6, got the worm.
While Fritz took the momentum into the second section, Sinner continued to struggle and was in the meantime 0: 4 behind. Nevertheless, the youngster pulled himself up again. When the score was 3: 5 and Fritz served, he even had two breakballs to shorten it to 4: 5. The first was fended off by the outstanding American with an ace, on the second attempt Sinner hit the felt ball with the edge of the racket during a rally and thus fired it uncontrollably into the air – two points that were characteristic of this tennis game. After 1.40 hours, Fritz transformed his first match ball.
While the 24-year-old now faces the winner of the game Alexander Zverev against Gael Monfils in the quarter-finals, Sinner is about to return to Europe.
