Jannik Sinner dominates, two perfect sets against Andrey Rublev
Two sets to tell a tale of dominance: Jannik Sinner literally overwhelmed Andrey Rublev with a 6-1 6-3 victory that tells more than just the sum of games. It was a scintillating performance by the Italian, who dictated the pace, managed the pressure, and consistently hammered an increasingly frustrated and solution-less opponent.
Sinner starts on serve and immediately faces two break points. It is the only real moment of difficulty in the set. He nullifies them with personality and changes the game from there: from 15-40 in the first game, Sinner wins 20 of the next 24 points. There is only one direction on the court, the one dictated by the South Tyrolean’s quick feet and surgical accelerations. Rublev, while trying to push with his forehand, sees each ball sent back with more weight and more precision.
The stats speak for themselves: Jannik wins 11 out of 15 points in response on the Russian’s second serve, places 3 ace (all to close games), and concedes just 3 free against his opponent’s 12. His forehand, rated 9.6 out of 10 for average quality, is an untenable weapon for Rublev, stuck at a much more modest 6.5. The first set ended 6-1, with yet another zero serve and a final ace.
Rublev holds the first game, but the inertia is still all in Sinner’s hands. In the second useful game in response comes the break: an abnormal longline forehand followed by a surgical close sends the Russian off his feet. Rublev tries to fight back, struggles in the longest game of the match (14 points), but again gives up his service from 40-0, a victim of the Italian’s impenetrable defenses and lightning-quick forehand reversals.
Sinner concedes just 3 points on serve in the entire second set, with an impressive series of 20 consecutive points held on serve. The control is total: in the longer stages of the exchanges (over 5 strokes), Jannik dominates, imposing pace, variation and depth. Rublev, though generous, is forced to run, often without construct, and closes the set and the match with a backhand over the tape on a venomous response from Sinner.
