Jannik Sinner battled past Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 in 1 hour and 17 minutes in the fourth round to move into the quarter final for the second time in his career at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia at the Foro Italico in Rome in a match delayed by rain.
Sinner saved six of the eight break points he faced and converted three of the twelve break points.
Cerundolo faced four break points in the first game of the opening set and saved them. Sinner converted his third break point in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead after Cerundolo made a forehand error. Sinner faced five break points in a 14-minute sixth game. Cerundolo broke straight back to draw level to 3-3 when Sinner netted a backhand on the fifth break point. Both players held on their next service games to set up a tie-break. Both players traded mini-breaks at the start of the tie-break. Sinner earned four set points at 6-2 and converted his first chance to seal the tie-break 7-2 when Cerundolo made a forehand error.
Sinner needed a medical time-out on his right foot after the third game of the second set. The Italian player earned a break in the fourth game to open up a 3-1 lead.
Sinner went up a double break in the sixth game to open up a 5-1 lead earning a chance to serve for the match. Cerundolo pulled one break back in the seventh game, when Sinner netted a backhand.
Cerundolo saved two match points in the eighth game to extend the match. The Argentine player fended off a match point on the return at 3-5 and earned two break points, but he was not able o convert them. Sinner converted his fourth match point with a service winner to secure his spot in the quarter final.
Sinner will face the winner of the match between Casper Ruud and Jaume Munar.
“He’s a very tough competitor, it’s a great challenge for me. Especially now trying to get used to so many difficult situations on the court. I just tried to stay there mentally, trying to play every point. But I’m very happy because I felt like I raised my level. Game wise, I felt a little bit better. It was very heavy conditions, and it was a long day. The crowd helped me, so I’m happy to go through”, said Sinner.
