Jannik Sinner produced a clinical performance as he defeated Maxime Cressy 7-6(3) 6-3 to win the title in Montpellier.
The Italian claimed the first title of his 2023 season with a clinical returning performance.
Cressy’s serve and volley style couldn’t outpower Sinner’s defensive variety as the American fell just short of the title.
Sinner has now won seven titles in his career, with this being the fourth title on indoor hard courts.
It was Sinner who made the brighter start to the match as some fast anticipation skills earned his two break points in the opening game.
However Cressy showcased the serving that saw him beat Holger Rune in the semi-finals as he saved the break points to hold serve.
The American wasn’t all about big serves as he showed some tidy volleying from the net and some returning to create three break point opportunities of his own.
Sinner neutralised the Cressy return effectively on break points as he edged towards a hold to level the set at 2-2.
Both players established dominance after that with Sinner setting up some impressive winners.
Nothing could separate the two players with their being a high level of first serves as the first set was decided by a tiebreak.
In the end it was Cressy who made the more errors in the tiebreak as Sinner held his nerve to take the tiebreak 7-3.
The second set had a similar feel to it although Cressy was evidently struggling with a hand injury.
There was no signs of slowing down from Sinner though as he produced some short and clever returns to test Cressy’s serve.
Although the American passed the first test in fourth game, he couldn’t resist Sinner’s power for long as a missed volley handed Sinner the break for 5-3.
The Italian closed out the win comfortably to seal his seventh career title and a first of the season.
After the match Sinner praised his serve under pressure, “To be honest, the first key was to hold the serve,” Sinner told the ATP website.
“In the tie-break I knew he may miss something. I tried to keep my serve, which I have done, so I am very happy about the first set. The second set was a little bit different. I had a couple of good chances but he then served very well. I am very happy I broke him here and then I served very well at the end of match.”
As a result of his win Sinner will now move up to number 14 in the world while Cressy moves to world number 40.
