Jannik Sinner continued his run at the Australian Open with a dominant second round performance but the Italian believes he can get even better.
The fourth seed eased his way to a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2, win over Dutchman Jesper De Jong at Melbourne Park. Sinner didn’t face a break point throughout the entire match as he blasted 26 winners past the world No.161. It is his 40th win at a Grand Slam tournament and his 10th at the Australian Open so far in his career.
“Tennis-wise, I played a little bit better,” Sinner replied when asked to compare his latest performance to his first round win.
“I felt better on the court. With the roof closed, it’s a little bit different. I love the conditions.”
According to OptaAce, the 22-year-old currently has a winning rate of 71.4% at Grand Slam tournaments which is the highest among Italian male players in the Open Era.
Sinner is playing his first tournament of the season after opting not to participate in any Tour-level warm-up events. Something others on the Tour have done, including Daniil Medvedev. So far he hasn’t encountered a stern test and is yet to drop a set. Although he is taking nothing for granted.
“For sure I can improve. Today I played quite well and I felt good on the court. I was very calm and stable throughout the whole match.” He commented.
“We have to see how I go when the match is closer and when the sets are closer.’
“Today it (the match) seemed easier than it was because he (Jong) played well throughout the whole tournament. I wish him all the best. He’s a very nice person, a nice man, and hopefully, we can see him many more times making some good draws the whole year.”
After a strong end to last season, Sinner’s popularity in his home country has risen. He was runner-up at the ATP Finals in Turin to Novak Djokovic before going on to guide his country to their first Davis Cup title since 1976. So how is he finding the surge of interest in him?
“For sure I get more recognized, especially in Italy. But for me it hasn’t changed anything, to be honest,” said Sinner.
“One week after (winning the Davis Cup) I went in a gym like a usual day, and I went on a court like a usual day.”
Sinner will play Argentine 26th seed Sebastian Baez in the third round.
