Madrid, Jannik Sinner-Lorenzo Sonego: South Tyrolean dominates first set of Italian derby

Jannik Sinner takes first set against Lorenzo Sonego

It went to Jannik Sinner in the first set of the long-awaited all-Italian derby scheduled in the second round of the Madrid Masters 1000. The South Tyrolean, who started immediately with his foot on the accelerator, needed only 26 minutes of play to close the fraction in his favor, beating his friend, now rival, from Piedmont 6-0.

Starting off at a brisk pace, Sinner hardly let his opponent breathe today, conceding the first "15" only in the third game. Five break points in total, three of which were effectively exploited by Sinner, who thus started his adventure in the Spanish capital’s tournament in the best possible way.

Todayè s fifth direct clash between the two Italian tennis players: at the ATP Tour level, in fact, Sinner and Sonego (who have been doubles partners on several occasions) have played each other four times, always in 2023, with the balance clearly in favor of the South Tyrolean who has not only won all the previous matches, but has done so by dropping just one set to his compatriot. The first precedent, in chronological order, è was in Montpellier: Sinner’s victory in the quarters 6-4, 6-2, with the South Tyrolean who would then head for the final success in the French ATP 250.

Instead, the next match between the two è was staged in Halle, with Sinner winning in a comeback 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, while at the US Open, in the second round, there were always three sets but all prerogative of the’Alto Adige, able to win 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Finally, the last precedent, before today, è was in Vienna, another tournament won by the native of San Candido: Sonego met him in the round of 16, surrendering in two sets (6-2, 6-4).