Jannik Sinner has become the first Italian man to crack the world’s top three on the ATP Tour following his straight-sets win in the final of the Rotterdam Open on Sunday.
The 22-year-old beat Australia’s Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-4, to capture his second title of the season after the Australian Open and his 12th overall. Making him the most decorated male player from his country in the Open Era in terms of Tour titles won. Against de Minaur, Sinner hit 23 winners against 26 unforced errors and broke his opponent four times. Making it the seventh consecutive time he has beaten the world No.11.
“Alex, it’s very tough to play against you. It’s better when we see each other playing doubles on the same side.” Sinner said to his rival during the trophy presentation.
“You’re one of the kindest guys on the Tour. It’s nice to have you around and to talk to you about other stuff. You’re improving week-by-week and I wish you all the best for the rest of the season.” He added.
Taking to the court, Sinner was sternly tested throughout a 64-minute opening set which had various changes in momentum. He broke for the first time in the fifth game after a de Minaur forehand crashed into the net. Nudging ahead to a 5-4 lead, Sinner then had three set points during a marathon 15-minute service game but failed to convert any of those and ended up being broken following the conclusion of a gut-busting 34-shot rally. Despite the blip, he bounced back instantly in the next game when de Minaur left a shot which landed in to break back. Rewarding him with a second opportunity to serve it out, which did so with the help of an ace.
The tussle continued into the second frame. Sinner prevailed in another lengthy de Minaur service game, this time lasting 11 minutes, to move ahead 3-2 before once again getting broken. Nevertheless, the top seed went on to win three out of the next four games to seal the victory.
“(To) my team, we did a really good job some weeks ago (in Australia) and now we have done a really good job here (in Rotterdam). I’m really proud of my level throughout the whole week.” Said Sinner who is coached by Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi.
“When I have been in a tough situation, we have handled it the right way. We will always try to improve which is the most important.“
As a result of his latest triumph, Sinner will rise to a ranking high of No.3 on Monday which is another milestone for Italian tennis will him becoming the first player to reach this position in the history of the Peperstone ATP rankings. He is currently 12-0 this year on the Tour with Gael Monfils being the only player to have taken a set off his this week in Rotterdam.
“I want to congratulate Jannik and his team. What you have done this whole year is great to see and it couldn’t have happened to a better guy, “ runner-up de Minaur commented.
“He’s playing at an incredible level and too good. I’ll get you back next time.”
Sinner is now on a 15-match winning streak at ATP 500 events with Rotterdam being the third straight tournament he has won in this category.
