World No. 1 Jannik Sinner sent a clear message to his French Open rivals on Monday night, powering past Russia’s Andrey Rublev with a dominant straight-sets victory in the last 16.
Facing what was expected to be a stern test, Sinner made light work of the 17th seed under the lights on Court Philippe-Chatrier, winning 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 in just under two hours.
“Things can go very quickly in a bad way, especially in best-of-five,” Sinner said post-match. “So I’m very happy to finish it in three. These night sessions in Paris are very special.”
The 23-year-old Italian, returning to Roland Garros after a three-month absence due to a doping suspension lifted in May, will face unseeded Kazakh Alexander Bublik in the quarter-finals. Sinner leads their head-to-head 3–1, although Bublik won their most recent meeting on grass in Halle in 2023.
Sinner, who is chasing a third consecutive Grand Slam title following his triumphs at the 2023 US Open and 2024 Australian Open, was in commanding form. He blasted 25 winners, including five aces, and allowed Rublev just one break-point opportunity after the opening game.
That lone moment of danger came early, as Sinner was forced to save two break points in the first game of the match. But from there, the top seed raced to a 5–0 lead and wrapped up the opening set with minimal fuss, despite missing a chance for a 6–0 “bagel.”
Sinner broke Rublev twice in the second set, and although the Russian rallied briefly in the third, he couldn’t convert his single break chance. Sinner sealed the win on his first match point when Rublev’s forehand clipped the net and drifted wide.
The match also offered Sinner a measure of revenge—he was forced to retire during their 2022 Roland Garros encounter in the last 16 due to injury.
Asked about his seemingly unshakable composure, Sinner offered insight into his mindset: “Inside there’s a storm going on, but tennis is a very mental game. You don’t want to show anything to your opponent. In my young career, the storm was also outside—not just inside.”
Sinner’s march through the draw continues as he eyes his first French Open title, having fallen to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 semi-finals.
AFP
