Jesper de Jong lost to Jannik Sinner in three sets in the second round of the Australian Open. The 23-year-old from Hoofddorp was no match for the number four in the world and lost in three sets: 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. Despite the elimination, De Jong climbs more than twenty places in the world rankings.
De Jong started the match well and won his first two service games convincingly. However, after taking a 2-1 lead, he quickly lost five games in a row. After the first set, De Jong underwent treatment on his thighs. He already indicated before the match against Sinner that he had physical discomfort after having already played four matches.
“It really felt like I had his hand on my throat and he wouldn’t let go”
The North Hollander found it increasingly difficult to keep up with Sinner’s pace and moved more slowly than in the initial phase. He managed to get some games on his own serve, but the match never became exciting. Sinner only lost ten points on his own serve throughout the match. He did not grant the North Hollander a single break point and took six of the twelve chances for a break.
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“It really felt like I had his hand on my throat and he wouldn’t let go,” the world number 161 said after his 6-2 6-2 6-2 defeat. “If you play one bad ball, he immediately punishes it. Then you are running all the time. I didn’t play very well, but it was a great experience and the best week of my career.”
Dream week
The 23-year-old De Jong was in the main draw of a grand slam for the first time. He won three qualifying matches last week and managed to enhance his debut with a victory over the Argentinian Pedro Cachín. He started this week as number 161 in the world, but he is currently 138th on the ATP live rankings.
After De Jong’s elimination, Tallon Greekpoor is the only Dutchman left in the men’s tournament. De Nieuw-Venneper will face the Frenchman Arthur Fils in the second round.