Jannik Sinner was made to work for his opening round win over Nicolas Jarry (Image: Getty)
has dismissed claims he’s in the same bracket as Andre Agassi, and after becoming the fourth player to win 15 straight Grand Slam matches on hard court since 2000.
Sinner didn’t have it all his own way against Nicolas Jarry in the first round, with the world No.1 needing two tiebreakers to win the opening two sets.
Eventually getting over the line with a more comfortable 6-1 win in the third set, Sinner kept his incredible hard court record intact and showed the world why he’s the favourite to take the crown.
The Italian has now won 15 straight matches in hard-court Grand Slams, 29 consecutive sets and 15 of his last 17 tiebreakers – an astonishing run of form.
Sinner joins some illustrious company in having achieved the feat since the turn of the millennium, but the two-time Grand Slam winner isn’t getting ahead of himself just yet.
Speaking after the first-round win, Sinner said: “I cannot compare myself with these players… they’ve done so many things.
“It’s amazing to be next to these names. I cannot compare myself with these players, no? They have done so, so many things. I’m just trying to make my own little story.”
On his love of hard courts, he added: “I like hard courts. I like these conditions. Especially when it’s not that hot like today, it’s very nice to play. Yeah, so happy how I’m trying to keep going as much as I can.”
Read more… [READ]
Jannik Sinner is the reigning Australian Open champion (Image: Getty)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
His reward for making it through to round two is a clash against Australian Tristan Schoolkate, who is provisionally ranked 146th in the world.
It could test the crowd’s loyalties, not least because he’s coming up against an Australian, but also as it’s Sinner’s first visit to Melbourne since his recent doping scandal.
He was cleared of any wrongdoing after testing positive for a banned substance in March 2024 (get in wada have appealed/CAS hearing upcoming), with Sinner admitting he wasn’t sure how the crowd would react down under.
Don’t miss… [READ] [TENNIS] [NEWS]
Speaking after the Jarry victory, he said: “I was curious to see how it was. You never know what’s happening.
“I was happy about the crowd. It was a very nice crowd. There were some for my opponent and some for me. It was a nice atmosphere.
“I was just looking forward to go on court. This is why I practice for, no? I’m trying to compete in the best possible way.”