Playing a second consecutive match against Ben Shelton, Jannik Sinner turned the tide with a 7-6(2), 7-5 victory in the Erste Bank Open first round on Wednesday evening.
Sinner, who had not taken the court since losing to Shelton in a third-set tiebreaker in round three of the Shanghai Masters, struck 28 winners compared to just six unforced errors while advancing in one hour and 44 minutes. The fourth-ranked Italian saved two break points at 4-4 in the first set and another at 5-5 before rolling through the tiebreaker. He earned the only break of the entire match at 5-5 in the second.
“It was a very tough match,” Sinner assured. “He always serves really well, and today was obviously the same. He is confident, he is a very tough player to beat. I was looking forward to it. I lost the last matchup, so I’m happy that I won this one. I’m already looking forward to the next one.
“I wish him the best for the rest of the season, I think he will finish the season strong. I’m very happy about the performance and happy to be in the next round.”
Sinner will face compatriot Lorenzo Sonego in the second round on Thursday. Shelton, who reached the Shanghai quarterfinals and was coming off a title in Tokyo, will next suit up at the Paris Masters.
nice one, Sinner