Sportal.eu

Jannik Sinner out of the chorus on the challenge between Novak Djokovic and Francesco Maestrelli

Getty Images

On the sidelines of the first round of the Australian Open, which saw him prevail over France&#8217s Hugo Gaston (6-2, 6-1 before the Frenchman retired, bursting into tears before leaving the court), Jannik Sinner spoke, among other things, about the’long-awaited match scheduled for the Italian night between Wednesday and Thursday between Novak Djokovic, a ten-time Australian Slam champion, and Francesco Maestrelli, one of the many representatives of the Bel Paese, who came from the qualifiers and was able in the first round to beat a tough guy like Terence Atmane.

Djokovic, who is chasing victory number 400 in Grand Slam tournaments and could get it precisely against Maestrelli, enjoys the’inevitable favor of the odds but Sinner urged everyone not to take anything for granted. “I saw Maestrelli in the gym before my match – the South Tyrolean told Eurosport microphones -He deserved to be here, he played incredible qualifiers and beat someone like Atmane in five sets. He has to enjoy the moment: of course, Nole here is the toughest player to beat but he has to believe. It will be a match I will watch”.

Francesco LuciveroHugo Gaston gives up in tears, Jannik Sinner consoles him: photos

Jannik Sinner overcomes on the field and also in fair-play
The South Tyrolean outfielder was busy against Hugo Gaston in the first round of the Australian Open

The Frenchman, who is much more comfortable on slow surfaces, still tried to put a spoke in the rival’s wheel…
… unfortunately for him, however, his attempts to curb Jannik’s overwhelming power did not have the desired effects
After 37 minutes of play the first set ended in favor of the world number 2
The score was 6-2 thanks to a double break, obtained in the sixth and eighth games by the outfielder

The situation for Gaston worsened in the second partial, brought home by Jannik with the score of 6-1
At that point Gaston decided to raise the white flag, partly because he was conditioned by a physical problem
With great sportsmanship Sinner immediately wanted to sincerate of his condition
Visibly shaken Hugo was moved and had his eyes furrowed with tears…
… certainly knew he had little chance against the phenomenal Sinner…
… but he surely would have liked to stay on the court for at least three sets in the face of such a rival
For Jannik a convincing start in a tournament he particularly loves…
… for Hugo will come new opportunities, all the more so in spring

With regard, however, to his own condition, Sinner vindicated the choices of last fall: “It was important to take those two weeks off after the Turin final – he explained -. When I returned to the field I resumed, with my team, training with great intensity, with the goal of arriving here in the best possible condition. Clearly, the first games of a season can always bring surprises. It is not only a matter of physique, it also takes great concentration”.

That played Tuesday by Jannik Sinner was the first official match of 2026. The South Tyrolean, in early January, had played two exhibition matches, one in Seoul against Carlos Alcaraz, lost in two hard-fought sets, and one in Australia against Felix Auger-Aliassime, defeated instead after three fractions of play.

Sinner had played two exhibition matches, one in Seoul against Carlos Alcaraz, lost in two hard-fought sets, and one in Australia against Felix Auger-Aliassime, defeated instead after three fractions of play.

Sinner also participated in the 1-Point Slam, the special tournament involving professional and amateur tennis players tested in matches in which the’only point played would be the deciding one. The South Tyrolean guinto made it to the quarterfinals, beaten by Australian amateur Jordan Smith (who took advantage of the world No. 2’s service error). It was Smith himself who then won the million Australian dollars at stake, beating Taiwanese professional Joanna Garland in the final.

Tags:

You may also like...