TURIN, Italy — If Jannik Sinner was feeling any stress as the group’s overwhelming favourite on the ATP Finals, the Italian definitely didn’t present it throughout a 6-4, 6-4 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas within the opening match on the season-ending occasion for the yr’s high eight gamers.
Supported by chants of “Vai Jannik” (“Go Jannik”) and indicators that learn “Facci Sognare” (“Let us dream”), Sinner gave the Italian followers simply what they got here for Sunday along with his blistering baseline photographs and robust serve.
The 22-year-old Sinner is ending up a yr by which he has claimed 4 titles together with his first Masters 1000 trophy and is as much as a career-high No. 4 within the rankings – the primary Italian that prime since Adriano Panatta practically a half-century in the past.
Sinner even confirmed off a few of his newfound contact when he produced a backhand topspin lob winner whereas on the run early within the second set.
Then on his first match level, Sinner spun an ace out huge on the deuce court docket to complete the match off in a brisk 1 hour, 25 minutes.
Sinner was supported by 5 followers dressed as carrots and lots of extra sporting orange-colored wigs to acknowledge his red-orange hair and the way he used to eat carrots throughout changeovers.
PHOTOS: Sinner handles the stress at residence in Turin with fast win over Tsitsipas at ATP Finals
It was Sinner’s tour-leading 14th win indoors this yr – in opposition to only one loss.
“The match went really, really well and the crowd support was crazy,” Sinner mentioned on court docket as followers chanted his title. “It’s not just about improvement, it’s about destinations and the destination I wanted to reach this year was to be here.”
Tsitsipas, the 2019 champion, had reduce quick a apply session on Friday attributable to an obvious arm problem.
Later within the inexperienced group, Novak Djokovic was to revive his budding rivalry with Holger Rune needing just one extra match win to safe the year-end No. 1 rating for a record-extending eighth time.
Matches within the pink group on Monday characteristic Carlos Alcaraz vs. Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev vs. Andrey Rublev.
The high two finishers in every group advance to the semifinals.
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