Jannik Sinner, first set as No. 1 against Arthur Fils in Madrid

Jannik Sinner takes the first set of the Madrid semifinal with the authority of the world number one: 6-2 to Arthur Fils in 39 minutes, at the end of a partial controlled with lucidity, constant pressure and a superior quality of play. An almost flawless start for the Italian, good at immediately steering the match on the preferred tracks, taking away rhythm and certainties from an opponent who only in the final of the set tried to light up.

The beginning is immediately indicative. Fils starts on serve and already faces a complicated, long and laborious game, in which Sinner immediately shows aggressiveness in response and depth from the back. The Frenchman manages to save himself, but the message is clear: every serve will be under pressure. Sinner, in the next game, also opens with modest prime percentages, but he holds serve with personality, immediately finding countermeasures with the second and commanding with the forehand.

The first breakthrough comes in the third game. Fils concedes something, commits a double fault and exposes himself to the response of the Italian, who does not let the opportunity slip away. On 15-40, a deep response is enough to provoke the Frenchman’s error and sign the first break of the match. From there, Sinner consolidates with confidence, raises the level on serve and begins to dictate the pace with increasing continuity.

The moment that really breaks the set comes in the fifth game. At 3-1, Sinner raises the level further in response and from the back, takes time from Fils and overwhelms him with two answers of rare violence. On the key point, after the first real prolonged exchange of the match, the Frenchman tries to accelerate, but the Italian nails him with a devastating longline forehand that is worth the double break and 4-1. It is the symbolic point of the partial: power, control and technical superiority condensed into one shot.

From that moment on, the set seemed to slip away without a jolt. Sinner goes up 5-1, dominates the short exchanges, finds clean solutions with her serve and continues to lead with her forehand. The only small lapse comes when, on the strength of the lead, he slightly lowers the tension: a few less clean choices, an inaccurate short ball, a couple of avoidable errors. Fils takes advantage of this to hold serve and give a sign of presence, showing some flashes especially with the backhand.

This is precisely the aspect not to be underestimated. The 6-2 in the first set tells of a clear dominance, but also a balance that should not be interpreted superficially. Fils closed on the rise and, if allowed to believe in the match, has the tennis to become dangerous. That’s why the real junction of the match is mental before technical: Sinner imposed his law in the first partial, but he will have to continue on the same level of intensity, without conceding court or confidence.

The first set, in any case, is a manifesto of the best Sinner: aggressive in response, solid on serve, dominant from the back and very lucid in tactical management. Fils was overwhelmed for long stretches. The Frenchman is still inside the match, but control, for now, is firmly in the hands of the Blue.