Jannik Sinner came back from one set down to beat Tallon Griekspoor 5-7 7-5 6-1 at Hard Rock Stadium to reach the third round at the Miami Open.
Rain forced the players from the court as Griekspoor was leading 7-5 3-3, but after the match resumed, Sinner raised his level to seal a hard-fourth win after 2 hours and 23 minutes.
Sinner earned the first break points in the fourth game of the first set, but he did not convert them.
Griekspoor won four of his six points on return in the 11th game of the first set to take his first break of the match for 6-5 after Sinner dropped just two points in his first five service games. Griekspoor won four consecutive points from 0-30 down to seal the first set 7-5 with two aces.
Sinner rallied from 0-30 down to hold serve in the first game of the second set and held serve to love in his next two service games. Griekspoor did not face break points but the match was interrupted by rain after the sixth game.
After the match resumed, Sinner earned a set point on return at 5-4, but he did not convert it. Griekspoor fended off another set point at 6-5. Sinner broke serve on his third set point after a forehand error from Griekspoor to seal the second set 7-5 forcing the match to the third set.
Sinner broke twice in the second and sixth games and closed out the third set with a hold to love after 2 hours and 13 minutes. The 2024 Australian Open champion won 10 of 13 games played the rain delay to improve his head-to head lead against the Dutch player to 4-0. Sinner has a 18-1 record this season.
Sinner will face either Australia’s Christopher O’Connell or USA’s Martin Damm.
“I think even the first set was very close, but it went away. I think mentally I tried to stay strong, which I did, and I was in a toug situation today. After the rain came, I tried to come back a bit more aggressive, which I did, and obviously I am really happy. It’s been a tough day for me. but I am very happy about the result”, said Sinner.
