Jannik Sinner sailed through Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, but explains that he will have to adapt fast to what he termed as a very unusual court in the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia.
The Italian star was fresh in his debut match since Shanghai Open when he defeated Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3. The strength of the forehand of Sinner kept on hitting the one-handed backhand of the Greek giving him the upper hand to control the sets and manage to have an easy win.
Although he won, Sinner acknowledged that the court at ANB Arena has been a challenge to master. That is a strange indoor court, said he. It is very bouncy–gets on a good frolic with new balls, but goes very slowly with old ones. You have to adapt all the time.”
He said that the surface was particularly grippy and could be difficult to players who prefer to slide on hard court surfaces like he can and Novak Djokovic. There is too much traction sometimes, Sinner remarked, after just having almost tumbled over a play near the net.
Sinner defeated Tsitsipas in both sets twice and remained on the offensive. We have played a lot, and we are familiar with each other, he said. I simply attempted to remain on the front foot, particularly in returns, and deliver in the critical instances.
This will make the 23-year-old have to run to Djokovic in the semifinals, their seventh encounter of the last year. Sinner has defeated the champion of the 24 time Grand Slam twice this year in the French Open and semifinals at Wimbledon as well.
Sinner said it was always an honor to deal with a legend like Novak. He is also still hungry on big titles and he is pushing the extent of our sport. I am looking forward to another fine battle.
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