Monte Carlo, Jannik Sinner makes big talk right away with Felix Auger-Aliassime: first set in the house

In Monte Carlo, Jannik Sinner makes an immediate showdown with Felix Auger-Aliassime. The first set opens with the Canadian winning the draw and choosing to respond, dropping serve to Jannik Sinner. The start is marked by several free errors on both sides. The first game is stretched to the advantages, where Sinner manages to break through after a very intense 25-shot exchange, taking a 1-0 lead.

In the second game, the Italian immediately builds two break points, but Auger-Aliassime reacts with quality: he cancels the first with a precise volley and the second by holding a very hard-fought exchange, then manages to hold serve for 1-1. Sinner returns serve and handles it more solidly, closing the game at 15 thanks also to a backhand volley that gives him the 2-1 lead. The Canadian responds by keeping his serve, although after quickly going up 40-0 he makes a comeback up to 40-30 before closing the game at 2-2.

In the fifth game Sinner raises his level and introduces with more continuity the short ball, which allows him to command the exchange and hold serve without difficulty for 3-2. In the sixth game comes the break: Sinner wins two consecutive points with the drop forehand shot and gets a break point. Auger-Aliassime commits a double fault and gives up his serve, allowing the Italian to stretch to 4-2.

The 5-2 break practically comes by itself, with the Canadian unable to do anything. And then comes another break, for the 6-3 with which the first fraction goes into the archives.