Jannik Sinner reacts to making his maiden Miami Masters semifinal

Rising Italian star Jannik Sinner acknowledged it wasn't easy at all playing Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik at the Miami Masters.

Sinner, seeded at No. 21, overcame No. 32 seed Bublik in straight sets 7-6 (5) 6-4 to reach his maiden Miami Masters semifinal. 

Sinner was down by a break in the first set and also down 5-3 in the tie-break but recovered to win a tight opener. 

The Italian was also down by a break in the second but bounced back to claim a straight-set win.

"We had a tough battle two weeks ago in Dubai. [It was] tough here today as well,” Sinner told Tennis Channel. “It was strange today. He was changing the game… I never had this kind of match, to be honest… I just tried to stay there, stick into the match and I am happy about my performance today.”

Sinner praised Bublik 

"It is [difficult to keep your concentration against Bublik] because, at the point when you think you are playing good, he is doing something to take out your rhythm,” said Sinner. “It is strange because he has incredible hands and I think he is one of the most talented guys on Tour. He can do whatever he wants with the ball. A match against him can change very quickly.”

Sinner was the first player to make the Miami Masters semifinal and he plays next either Daniil Medvedev or Roberto Bautista Agut.

"I am very happy [to be] playing one more match here in Miami," said Sinner. "I think both [players] are very, very difficult players to play against. With Medvedev [in ATP] Head2Head, I am 0-2 [and] with Roberto I won a very tough one in Dubai two weeks ago. It is going to be a very interesting match and I think they will show a very high level this evening.”

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3doeTYQ