Jannik Sinner shows a strong comeback at the ATP Masters in Rome against Tommy Paul and makes the dream final against Carlos Alcaraz perfectly.
The Italian prevailed in front of a home crowd 1: 6, 6: 0, 6: 3. In the final there is now a longed-for duel between number one and his Spanish challenger Alcaraz, the two players who have won the last five Grand Slam tournaments. Alcaraz is the last player to win a match against number one.
At the fully occupied Campo Centrale in Rome, everything was prepared for the next Italian tennis party on Friday evening. On Thursday, Sinner had played the Norwegian top ten player Casper Ruud on the wall, as if he did not come from a three-month doping lock without any match practice.
Tommy Paul surprises Sinner in the first set
The Italian fans were looking forward to the next tennis gala, but their darling did not want to play at the beginning: the world ranking listen seemed nervous and apparently also a bit surprised by the strongly playing opponent, who has never played an ATP 1000 tournament: Paul appeared with a clear plan, immediately put pressure on the world ranking list. The American showed a good length and security in the strokes, brought Sinner out of the concept with clever changes of rhythm and repeatedly attacked with a power back.
The favorite did not get into the match at all, also released the second serve game and was 0: 5 after 22 minutes. Sinner started to discuss Darren Cahill with the coaching team. After the change of sides, he visibly returned to the square and finally brought his first service game. But Paul was unmoved, continued to serve strongly – and converted his first set ball after 28 minutes. For Sinner, it was the first loss of set since the round of 16 of the Australian Open.
Sinner with strong comeback
Sinner stayed on the pitch, started the second round with a lot of anger in the stomach – and played as if transformed. The number one is now significantly more aggressive and at pace in the strokes, it took the lead for the first time-the elongated “Sinner” response from the ranks.
Paul began to wiggle, even with his previously strong serve. Sinner, on the other hand, was now full, putting pressure on the forehand and getting the first break – the Italian was finally in the match, made the unchecked mistakes. His service also came with more pressure, two break balls from the American fended off Sinner unmoved with an ace. The world ranking list of the world was also dominated by the longer baseline rallies – after 30 minutes the second set ended 6-0.
Sinner had the man from New Jersey now where he wanted him, hunted him over the square – the match now reminded of the lesson that Ruud was allowed to endure in the quarter -finals. At the beginning of the crucial round, Sinner did the next break and did not give the lead. At 4: 2, Sinner took his thigh for the first time, the conditional deficit was now noticeable, but he bit through and converted the first match ball after 1:42 hours.