Jannik Sinner takes big risk in Madrid Masters 1000 debut

It wasn’t a walk in the park for Jannik Sinner in his Madrid Masters 1000 debut against Benjamin Bonzi, French qualifier number 104 in the world, who experienced for one set one of those inspirational days typical of outsiders, but the effect lasted little more than an hour.

Jannik Sinner initially struggled to adapt to very different playing conditions than in Monte Carlo, making a few too many errors with his backhand and taking time to find the right heaviness in his strokes. Then, however, he takes control of the match and becomes champion again.

After a bye in the first round, the Italian closes the practice in 2 hours and 20 minutes with a score of 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-4. Another qualifier, Denmark’s Elmer Moller (ranked No. 169), awaits him in the third round.

In the meantime, news also comes of Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the Rome and Paris tournaments, while the world No. 1 continues his march. For Sinner, this is his 18th consecutive victory on the circuit and 23rd in Masters 1000s. The goal remains to clinch his fifth consecutive Masters title and consolidate his lead in the rankings over the Spaniard, considering also that last year in Madrid he did not take part in the tournament.