World No. 1 Jannik Sinner got off to a flying start in the 2024 ATP Finals in Turin. The Italian star defeated world No. 8 Alex de Minaur of Australia in straight sets, having not played since winning the 6 Kings Slam in October. After the exciting contest concluded, Sinner said that he would have to work on his serve if he wants to go deep into the tournament.
Jannik Sinner made a winning start to the 2024 ATP Finals, defeating Alex de Minaur 6-3 6-4 in Turin.
Sinner was making his return to the court having withdrawn from the Paris Masters due to a virus, but he was still able to dispatch his opponent in straight sets.
The pair still have a minimum of two more matches at the ATP Finals, with Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz to come for them in Ilie Nastase Group.
De Minaur and Sinner traded the first two games of the opening set before the world No. 8 broke his opponent to take a 2-1 lead.
Sinner made an immediate response, producing a break of his own to level things before holding serve to make it 3-2.
Things got even better for the world No. 1 moments later when he broke his opponent again, and he followed that by holding serve to move one game away from winning the opener.
De Minaur held serve to stay in it, but that was not enough as Sinner wrapped up the set.
The pair went back and forth at the start of the second set until play was stopped at 2-2 due to a medical emergency in the crowd at the Inalpi Arena.
When play resumed, Sinner edged a closely fought game to break his opponent and take a 3-2 lead.
The match appeared to be slipping through De Minaur’s fingers as the pair held serve to make it 5-4.
Sinner sealed the victory in style, taking a 40-0 lead before producing an ace to take the second set and the match.
The Italian was playing his first match since winning the 6 Kings Slam, and he was delighted to come out on top in his return to the ATP Tour.
“Considering this [not playing in four weeks], I am very happy,” he said. “I started off with some unforced errors, he was playing great at the beginning of the match.
“I just tried to stay there mentally, knowing that at some point my tennis would arrive, and it then arrived quite early.
I started to return very well, but I will have to improve my serve for sure if I want to compete in the next match.
“Let’s see, but today I am very pleased with the win and, hopefully, this can give me confidence for the next one.”
Sinner went on to express his excitement at playing in front of a home crowd.
“It [the best thing about playing at home] has to be the crowd, it has to be the energy,” he added.
“I love to play at home. For me, it is a huge honour, and I was just looking forward to it.
“It was a great night.
“The welcome was very warm, it was amazing, and I can’t wait for the next one.”
