Jannik Sinner of Italy reacts during the men’s singles match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (Image: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Top-ranked Jannik Sinner overcame a one set deficit to rally to a 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2 win against Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday.
A night after winning his 250th career match with a straight-sets victory, the 23-year-old Italian faced a much sterner third-round examination against the No. 37-ranked Argentine under the roof inside Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena that hosted play due to rain.
Sinner will next play either No. 16-ranked Ben Shelton, who beat the Italian here last year, or Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain.
Etcheverry produced the shot of the night with a stunning drop volley to bring up set point in the first set tiebreak, which he converted to take the lead.
Sinner began to better find his range in the second and after trading breaks midway through the set, the Italian found another opportunity to level the match.
Jannik Sinner of Italy wipes his sweat during a set break in the men’s singles match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (Image: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
The momentum was all with Sinner in the third as he broke Etcheverry twice more to advance in 2 hours, 39 minutes.
Jannik Sinner of Italy returns a forehand shot to Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina during the men’s singles match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (Image: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Fifth-ranked Daniil Medvedev also came from behind for a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory against Matteo Arnaldi to book his fourth-round berth against either 12th-ranked or Alexandre Muller.
The 28-year-old Medvedev was forced to dig deep to level the match after the Italian took a tight first set.
Jannik Sinner of Italy, right, is congratulated by Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina after winning in the men’s singles third round match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (Image: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
In the deciding set, Medvedev’s experience and composure came to the fore as he clinched a vital break in the ninth game and held firm to close out the match in 2 hours, 44 minutes.
Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina returns a backhand shot to Jannik Sinner of Italy during the men’s singles match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (Image: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Second-ranked , who won the China Open on Wednesday for his fourth title of the year, plays his third round match against Chinese player, Wu Yibing.
Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina returns a forehand shot to Jannik Sinner of Italy during the men’s singles match in the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament at Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (Image: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)