Back problems in Monte Carlo for Jannis 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. At that moment 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 with continuity, clearly affected by the back problem, and the Czech took advantage all the way, closing the tie-break 7-3 and taking the match to the third set.

Thus the long streak of 37 consecutive sets won by Sinner in Masters 1000s was interrupted. A figure that also tells of the difficulties in the second partial, in which he put up just 46 percent first serve.