ATP Great Ocean Road Open: Jannik Sinner saves match point against Karen Khachanov

After Sofia last November, the young Italian Jannik Sinner is through to the second ATP final following a hard-fought 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 triumph over Karen Khachanov in three hours and seven minutes. It was one of Melbourne's longest matches this week, and the youngster held his nerves to save a match point in the final set and bring the victory home. Jannik had 46 winners and 56 unforced errors, with a similar number of mistakes on the Russian's tally, only with fewer winners. Sinner had to work hard in his games to overcome 12 out of 17 break chances, delivering four breaks on the other side and reaching the top following a spirited performance in the closing stages.

Karen saved a set point at 4-5 on the second serve and grabbed a break in the next one when Jannik sprayed a forehand error. The Italian repelled a set point in the 12th game with a forehand winner and converted the fourth break chance to level the score at 6-6 and introduce a tie break that he won 7-4 after 62 minutes.

Jannik Sinner and Stefano Travaglia are through to the final at Great Ocean Road Open.

The youngster led 4-3 in set number two with a break before Karen stepped in to grab two return games and secure the set after forcing Jannik's error in game ten to introduce a decider. The Italian grabbed an early break and kept it to open a 5-3 gap, serving for the victory in game ten.

Ready to fight until the end, Khachanov broke back to level the score at 5-5 and earned a match point on the return at 6-5. Like a true champion, Jannik saved it with a smash winner and set up another tie break. The Italian moved 6-4 up with a forehand drive-volley winner and sealed the deal with a smash winner in the next point. In the second semi-final, Stefano Travaglia toppled Thiago Monteiro 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 25 minutes, reaching the first ATP final at 29. Stefanos served well and saved three out of four break points, stealing the Brazilian's serve four times to control the scoreboard and move over the top. Thus, we will have an all-Italian ATP final for the first time since Firenza 1988, and first outside Italy since 1980! 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/36Krin5