Jannik Sinner got off to a flying start with a 6-4 6-0 6-2 win over 2015 semifinalist Kyle Edmund in the opening round of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.
Sinner played a solid match, although he needed six match points to close out a marathon final service game. Edmund converted just one of his six break points, while Sinner broke the British player twice in the first set.
Sinner will take on Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round and could face Lorenzo Musetti in a potential blockbuster all-Italian third round match.
Sinner was pleased with his first match during the post-match. The Italian player enjoys the conditions in Melbourne Park. The world number 16 enjoyed a consistent 2022 season in Grand Slam tournaments, reaching the quarter finals at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open and the fourth round at Roland Garros. He lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic after holding a two-set lead. At the US Open he lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set marathon match after holding a match point. During his career Sinner also reached the quarter finals at Roland Garros in 2020. In Italian tennis history only Sinner and 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini reached the quarter finals at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
“I think I played very solid. I I had some difficult times to finish it off, but it’s part of our sport. I felt very well on the court. It was a very important win for me. I now feel well. I hope to recover in time for my next match. I expect a very tough second round. I trained with Etcheverry sometimes. I know what he expects from me. It depends on which court we will play and the weather conditions. I think my level was very good today. I like the conditions. Obviously when you play in stadiums, it’s a little bit easier. The court is a little bit slower. When you make a quarter final in any Slam, it means that you like the conditions. So I am very happy to be back here”,said Sinner after his match against Edmund.
In the past two years only Rafael Nadal won more times than Sinner in Grand Slam tournaments. Nadal clinched 22 Major matches compared to Sinner’s 16 wins.
“They are only statistics, but on the other side I enjoy play Grand Slam matches. There are many moments where matches can change. I played good matches in Grand Slam matches last year. My goal is to make a step forward and advance from the quarter final and try to reach the semifinal. I am in good shape and trained very well”, said Sinner to Eurosport.
