Jannik Sinner: 'After Rafael Nadal, I want to play against Roger Federer'

Jannik Sinner will finish the season as the youngest top-100 player and the only teenager in the exclusive group. The San Candido native who lives and trains in Monte Carlo has made an incredible journey in the previous two seasons, starting 2019 from outside the top-500 and finding himself in the top-40 at the end of 2020! Jannik became one of the youngest players with three Challenger titles in a season twelve months ago, cracking the top-100 in November and finishing on a high note after conquering the ATP Next Gen Finals in Milan. The youngster made a slow start of 2020, reaching the quarter-final in Rotterdam in February and waiting for September to show his quality at home at the Rome Masters. Finding his A-game, Jannik won 15 of the season's final 19 matches, cracking the top-40 and establishing himself as the one to watch in the future. Jannik's first ATP title came in Sofia at the end of the season, backed with the first Major quarter-final at Roland Garros.

Making his debut in Paris, Sinner defeated four rivals to set Rafael Nadal clash, his first against the rivals from the top. Jannik would love to experience more of those in 2021 and test his skills against Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and others. The youngster made Nadal run for his money in Paris before the Spaniard produced a 7-6, 6-4, 6-1 triumph. Rafa and Jannik made a late start following a marathon clash before their duel, staying on the court until 1:30 am! Nadal had to dig deep to grab his 98th Roland Garros victory, with Sinner serving for the opener and giving his best in set number two. Rafa captured six breaks and suffered two, finishing the match with 37 winners and 33 unforced errors and taking the crucial points in sets one and two to break the rival's resistance. Jannik became the first player who took five games in one set against Nadal this year in Paris, securing a break at 5-5 when Rafa sprayed a forehand error.

Jannik Sinner would love to face Roger Federer in the upcoming season.

The Spaniard broke back in the last moment with a couple of forehand winners and won the tie break 7-4 to avoid an early scare. Jannik moved in front with a forehand winner in the second set's fourth game, losing serve in the next one and allowing Rafa to level the score at 3-3. Sinner was 40-15 in front in game nine before Nadal took four straight points to seize a crucial break, closing the set at 5-4 and moving closer to the finish line. Carried by this momentum, Rafa broke at the beginning of the third set thanks to a backhand crosscourt winner, held after deuce and broke again at love to forge a 3-0 advantage. The Spaniard sealed the deal with a break at 5-1, overpowering the youngster and advancing into the semis. 

"I hope I can make a strong start of the season in Australia and play many matches over the season. It should bring ups and downs, but I hope to experience more notable encounters like the one against Rafa in Paris. Maybe I can face Roger Federer or other players from the top; that's how we develop our game in the best way," Jannik Sinner said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2WpJH32