Jannik Sinner cruised past Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-1 6-4 after 79 minutes to reach the third round at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia at the Foro Italico in Rome.
Sinner won all of his 16 service points in the first set and 36 of his 39 points overall. He did not face a break point and converted three of his five break points.
Sinner did not drop a point on his serve and broke serve in the second and sixth games of the first set. The Italian player broke serve in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead and sealed the win with a serve out and a forehand volley winner into the open court on his second match point.
Sinner has improved his win-loss record to 13-3 at ATP Masters 1000 level this year. The 21-year-old Italian player is currently fifth in the Live Race to Turin after reaching the final in Miami and two semifinals in Indian Wells and Monte-Carlo. He also won the ATP 250 tournament in Montpellier and reached the final in Rotterdam and the quarter final in Barcelona. Sinner reached the quarter finals in Rome for the first time in Rome in 2022.
He will face a third round match against Alexander Schevchenko, who beat Sebastian Baez 6-4 6-3.
“I am happy with my level today. It was not easy. It was not easy. It was a little bit windy and I think he served a little bit better. I also had a couple of chances which I didn’t use, but I am very happy about my serve. I felt the ball very well. It is a very special feeling, especially here in Rome, trying to be an example for the young kids. Also spending a little bit of time with them, which is important, to show them the love. It is just a special tournament for me. I only have this kind of crowd once, or twice a year if I qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin”, said Sinner.
