For his debut at the Nitto Atp Finals (which everyone will continue to call the Masters) in front of the Turin fans, <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/australian-open-the-path-of-the-italians-sinner-with-tsitsipas/" title="Australian Open, the path of the Italians: Sinner with Tsitsipas”>Jannik Sinner trembled… during a game. Broken at 1-1 in the first set by the Australian Alex de Minaur in a Central of the Pala Alpitour entirely committed to its cause, the world No. 1 quickly caught up to progress without incident and easily won 6-3, 6-4 in 1h24.
“It’s been a long time since I played (he withdrew from the Rolex Paris Masters), I made a few mistakes and Alex, on the contrary, started well,” summarizes Sinner. I just tried to stay in the game. I’m happy with what I produced and to play in front of this audience, there’s no better way to end the year, especially since I wasn’t able to play in Rome (in the spring). »
A largely predictable outcome. In seven matches, the No. 8 in the ATP ranking had never managed to worry the new boss of the circuit (only one set taken in 2020). With serenity and implacable lucidity, the Transalpine applied his game plan to the letter, notably with large uncrossed forehands.
The Italian ideally launches a competition where he is the big favorite ahead of Zverev or Alcaraz. Last year, he lost in the final against Novak Djokovic. But he had not yet become the almost unsinkable player, winner of the 2023 Davis Cup, two Grand Slams (Australian Open and US Open), three Masters 1000s (Miami, Cincinnati and Shanghai) and now author of 66 successes in 72 matches played this season.
Even if he keeps above his cap the sword of Damocles of the appeal of the WADA (world anti-doping agency) after having been cleared in controversial conditions of a double positive test in March, the protégé of the duo Vagnozzi/Cahill maintains unfailing composure and control on the court.
He could ensure his qualification for the semi-finals on Tuesday evening by beating Taylor Fritz. In the other match of the Ilie Nastase group, the American took advantage of the complete self-destruction of Daniil Medvedev to win in two sets (6-4, 6-3 in 1h20).
On Monday, it will be the turn of the players from the John Newcombe group to make their appearance in the Masters tournament. From 2:00 p.m., Carlos Alcaraz (No. 3) will meet Casper Ruud (No. 6) and the 8:30 p.m. poster will pit Alexander Zverev (No. 2) and Andrey Rublev (No. 8).
