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By Erik Gudris | Sunday, October 4, 2020

 
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Nineteen-year-old Jannik Sinner upset Alexander Zverev becoming the first Roland Garros debutant to reach the quarterfinals since Rafael Nadal in 2005.

Photo credit: Roland Garros Facebook
 

Nineteen-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner continues his dynamic Roland Garros debut.

Sinner reached the Roland Garros elite eight with a convincing four-set win over sixth-seeded Alexander Zverev.

More: Superb Nadal Storms Into 14th RG Quarterfinal

Sinner weathered cold, windy conditions and strong defense from his opponent to secure the 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory.

He next faces the last man ever to reach the quarterfinals during his Roland Garros debut—defending champion Rafael Nadal who achieved the same feat in 2005.



“It has been tough. We have practiced sometimes in Monaco, so we know our games quite well,” Sinner said after the match on playing Zverev. “Today was very tough, knowing that it was going to be a long match. At the end, I am very happy about my performance.”

The fourth round between Sinner and Zverev was a first-time meeting that quickly became all about the Italian who dominated proceedings right from the start.

Sinner, who has the fastest forehand in the men’s draw currently at speeds around 80 mph, quickly dictated points. Zverev, looking unsettled by the windy conditions, soon found himself moving further and further behind the baseline to keep up with Sinner’s shots.

Tennis Express


Currently ranked No. 75 in the world, Sinner has quickly risen up the ranks and caught the notice of many tennis watchers. That included Sinner winning last year’s ATP Next Gen Tournament in Milan, Italy.


Sinner, on the strength of his forehand, soon captured the first two sets 6-3, 6-3.

Zverev sought treatment earlier in the match from a doctor and trainer who gave him some pills. Zverev afterwards admitted that he had been feeling sick with a fever since his last match and perhaps should not have played at all.

“Yeah, he plays well. But I didn't do anything today,” Zverev said about Sinner. “Everything I was doing I was just putting the ball in the court and letting him do everything. But, yeah, to be honest, I warmed up today.

“I shouldn't have played. But I was hoping maybe for a three set win or something like that, but I knew from the beginning that it wasn't going to be easy (smiling).”

Sinner’s high level dropped a bit in the third set as Zverev himself started absorbing his opponent’s power better from the baseline.

Though Zverev jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the third set, Sinner once again used his massive forehand to get himself back in the set. Sinner, holding a break point a few games later, ended up winning an extended rally to level things at 3-all.

Once again, Zverev used his defense to keep himself close with the young Italian. Zverev secured another service break late in the set that allowed to eventually close it out with a volley for 6-4.

That marked the first set Sinner had lost all event with his previous three rounds all being straight set victories.

Zverev, a former two-time quarterfinalist at Roland Garros, may have been hoping that his experience would prove decisive in the later sets. But the young Sinner showed mental fortitude of his own after earning an early break in the fourth set.

Sinner found himself tested later during a nine-minute service game that included him winning a 26-shot rally with yet another forehand winner. Sinner, fought off a break point, and then soon passed the test to hold for 3-0.

Zverev kept trying to make things happen from far behind the baseline to little effect. That allowed Sinner to win several points with well-timed drop shot winners that kept his opponent guessing in each game.

With time running out, Zverev would never find another break point opportunity. Soon, Sinner served for the upset while leading 5-3.

Sinner, with a final and appropriate forehand winner sealed the four-set upset win after just over three hours of play.




Sinner hit 39 winners to just 20 from Zverev. Sinner is also the youngest man to reach a major quarterfinal since Novak Djokovic in 2006.

Nineteen-time Grand Slam champion Nadal says he’s ready to face 19-year-old Sinner in their first ever meeting.

“Jannik, he's young, he's improving every single week," Nadal said after sweeping American qualifier Sebastian Korda. "So he's playing better and better and better. It will be a big challenge. It will be the first time playing against him on the tour.

"I practice with him a couple of times, he has an amazing potential, he move the hand very quick and he's able to produce amazing shots. So, yeah, I need to play my best against any opponent.”

 

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