Roger Federer's coach: 'Jannik Sinner challenged Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros'

Jannik Sinner has been the young gun to watch in the men's tennis in the previous two seasons! Kicking off the 2019 season from outside the top-500, Jannik stormed over the lower-ranked rivals to crack the top-100 in November, earning a perfect starting position ahead of 2020. Sinner conquered the first Challenger title on an indoor hard court in Bergamo in February and claimed two more by the end of the season, making a Major debut at the US Open and reaching the first ATP semi-final in Antwerp. Entering the ATP Next Gen Finals in Milan with a wild card and as the youngest player in the field, Jannik left more experienced players behind and conquered the title, setting eyes on significant results in 2020. Heading to Roland Garros with six wins from 14 encounters, Sinner found his A-game on his Parisian debut, beating four rivals to advance into the quarter-final as the first player born in 2001 at this level!

Jannik became the first quarter-finalist on Roland Garros debut since Rafael Nadal in 2005, facing the great Spaniard and suffering a 7-6, 6-4, 6-1 loss after a great effort in sets one and two. Praising the young Italian, Ivan Ljubicic said that his best performance of the year came against Rafa, despite the fact he later grabbed the first ATP trophy in Sofia at the end of the season. Nadal and Sinner had to wait for hours to start their clash on Court Philippe-Chatrier following the marathon encounter between Dominic Thiem and Diego Schwartzman that lasted for over five hours, closing the day at the office just before 1:30 am! Rafa had to work much harder than in the previous four matches to earn the 98th Roland Garros triumph, battling against a determined opponent before breaking his resistance in set number three. Sinner gave his best in the opening two sets, competing on level terms with Nadal but wasting his opportunities to propel the Spaniard into the semis.

Ivan Ljubicic praised Jannik Sinner's Roland Garros performance vs. Rafael Nadal.

Nadal scored six breaks from eight chances and gave serve away twice, completing the match with 37 winners and 33 unforced errors. They both held at love in the opening two service games before Rafa repelled a break point at 2-2 following a loose backhand from the youngster. There were no break chances in the next five games, as Sinner became the first player who took five games from Nadal in a single set this year in Paris! Eager for more, a teenager grabbed a break at 5-5 when Nadal sent a forehand wide, serving for the set in the next one. With no room for errors, the Spaniard fired a couple of forehand down the line winners to bring the break back in game 12 and level the score ahead of the tie break. He was the favorite now, opening a 5-2 lead and sealing it at 6-4 when Sinner sprayed a forehand mistake.

The youngster placed a forehand winner at 2-1 in set number two to forge the advantage, looking determined to take at least a set away from Rafa. The more experienced player broke back immediately after a forehand error from Jannik, leveling the score at 3-3 and gaining momentum. Sinner had a 40-15 lead 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 after two hours and 11 minutes. Carried by this momentum, Rafa broke in the third set's first game thanks to a backhand crosscourt winner, held after deuce and broke again at love when Jannik sprayed a backhand mistake to forge a 3-0 advantage. The Spaniard held after another deuce in game four and sealed the deal with a break at 5-1, overpowering the youngster and advancing into the last four. A few weeks later, Sinner won the first ATP title in Sofia, becoming the youngest champion on the Tour since Kei Nishikori in Delray Beach 2008 and wrapping up the year in the top-40.

"Jannik Sinner is pure talent, in the technical, mental and physical terms. These three things together are useful if you want to be Alberto Tomba in tennis. In my opinion, he is taking step by step, winning one small title in Sofia so far and knowing how hard he has to work to reach the top. For me, his best result came at Roland Garros, when he challenged Rafael Nadal for two sets," Ivan Ljubicic said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2WkOZ00