Jannik Sinner confesses what saved him Friday night

Jannik Sinner took a big risk in Rome on Friday night.

The Italian tennis player, after easily winning the first set against Daniil Medvedev, dropped sharply in the second, going into a physical slump. In the third partial despite the difficulties he put the match back on track by snatching the break that then proved decisive after the rain interruption and the resumption of the match Saturday afternoon.

“It’s the first time I experienced something like this,” confessed the Azzurro. “On Friday I was suffering physically in the second set. But in the third partial I found the strength and connected with the audience,” he explained with emphasis on his reaction before the rain break.

“It was a very different challenge, usually at night I don’t struggle to sleep but tonight was not easy. Today it’s like we started again from 0-0, even if I was ahead by a break things could have changed right away. I’m glad this match is finally over, now it’s even starting to rain again…”.

And now there’s Casper Ruud: “He’s playing even better tennis now. Every week is different even if you meet the same players. This is an important tournament for me and all the Italians. I just want to try to do my best,” concluded the South Tyrolean.

The resumption of the match on Saturday afternoon confirmed Sinner’s mental solidity: Medvedev tried to reopen the games with an immediate ace bringing himself to 4-3, but the world number one firmly held serve, leaving his Russian rival at zero. In the ninth game, the Muscovite managed to nullify two match points, but at the serve the Azzurro was relentless and closed 6-4 in the third set, qualifying for the final of the Internazionali d’Italia for the second consecutive year with an overall score of 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.