Jannik Sinner has admitted that it is unlikely that he will be 100% at his next event following his defeat to Andrey Rublev at the Canadian Open on Saturday.
The world No.1 suffered a 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 loss in the quarter-finals on a day when he had to play two matches due to poor weather earlier in the tournament. Sinner had chances to establish a lead at the start of the decider when he had five break point chances but failed to convert all of them. He then lost three games in a row, which gave Rublev enough of a margin to go on a seal victory.
In what was a lackluster performance at times, Sinner hit 28 unforced errors and only won 43% of his second serves. The loss occurred after he beat Alejandro Tabilo in straight sets on the same day. That victory secured his qualification for this year’s ATP Finals.
“For me coming here and making this result, even if it’s like this, it’s a good result because the position I have been in was and is not easy.” Sinner said during his press conference.
“You have to accept it. Let’s see what’s coming now in the next tournaments.”
During one part of his clash with Rublev, he was seen holding his knee but has since dismissed any potential injury concerns. The Italian returned to action this week after missing the Olympic Games due to illness after being diagnosed with tonsillitis.
Sinner now only has one tournament to tune up his game ahead of the US Open which will start at the end of this month. He will be the top seed at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati. An event he admits he will be playing whilst not at his best.
“I think these kinds of things are a bit more mental than the physical for sure. Even if I know that my body is not as strained as I would like because of last week it was also mentally for sure.” He replied when asked if there were any physical issues bothering him.
“It’s going to be difficult to perform miracles over the next five days, it’s impossible. I don’t think I can be at 100 per cent for Cincinnati, but I want to be back in shape for the US Open, which is the most important tournament in the US siwng, the last Grand Slam of the year. That’s my goal.”
As Sinner exits Canada, Rublev has a shot of claiming his third Masters 1000 title and his second of the year after Madrid. He will play Matteo Arnaldi in the semi-finals.
.
