Back problems in Monte Carlo for Jannik Sinner, who recovers

In the tie-break Machac again took advantage of Jannik Sinner’s second serve, immediately took over the exchange and went ahead with the mini-break. At 3-2 in his favor, the Czech also handles the service turn well and it comes down to the changeover at 4-2. That’s when Sinner touches his back, an obvious sign of physical discomfort.

Machac continues to push and extends to 5-2. Then also comes a double fault by the Azure that opens the way to 6-2. Sinner struggled to serve consistently, clearly affected by the back problem, and the Czech took advantage to the end, closing the tie-break 7-3 and taking the match to the third set.

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Sinner’s long streak of 37 consecutive sets won in Masters 1000 is thus broken. A figure that also tells of the difficulties in the second partial, in which he fielded just 46 percent of firsts.

In the third set Sinner seemed okay, at least as far as his back was concerned: the certainty came with the 12 fifteen in a row that allowed him to leapfrog to 3-1. At the change of court at 3-2 Jannik calls the doctor and explains that he is experiencing a feeling of weakness. He takes a tablet and then returns to the playing field regularly. Instead, the physical therapist arrives for Machac, who has his left arm massaged. Danger passed for both: Sinner recovers better than his rival and goes on to win 6-3.