Wimbledon favourite Jannik Sinner passes first-round test to set up intriguing clash
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Jannik Sinner has undergone a significant transformation since his last appearance at Wimbledon. In July 2023, he was ranked world No 8 and had reached the semi-finals of a grand slam tournament. Now, almost a year later, he returned to SW19 as the world No 1, a grand slam champion, and the top choice among betters to win the men's singles title.
During last year's Wimbledon, the 22-year-old showed many good things. He made it to the semi-finals of a big tournament for the first time, and it was not embarrassing to lose to a top player on Centre Court, even though it was a quick defeat. But this year, instead of promise, there is now pressure on him to perform.
Here we are halfway through the best year of Sinner's career with high hopes. In January, he won his first major tournament by defeating Djokovic in the semi-finals. Djokovic is usually unstoppable on the court, especially in Australia, but Sinner didn't let that deter him. In the final against Medvedev, Sinner had to dig deep and believe in himself to come back from being two sets down. He showed incredible determination and resilience to ultimately win the championship.A success story in the making for the young and talented tennis player.
After making it to the semi-finals at the French Open, Sinner showed his ability to perform consistently at that high level. He was finally defeated in a thrilling five-set match against fellow rising star Carlos Alcaraz, who went on to win the tournament. Interestingly, Alcaraz had won Wimbledon a year prior. At 21 years old, Sinner has acknowledged his enjoyment of the toughest moments in tennis. He likely won't be fazed by anyone being seen as the favorite to take his title. The Spaniard will probably just smile and shrug off the odds.
Alcaraz successfully passed his first match on Monday at Centre Court, while Sinner faced his own test on No 1 Court. Sinner played against Yannick Hanfmann, a 32-year-old player from Germany ranked No 45 in the world. Hanfmann played without pressure, allowing him to perform well in the beginning. Sinner, on the other hand, took some time to find his rhythm and feel more relaxed on the court.
The top-ranked player attempted to approach the game with a positive attitude, using his powerful forehands to try and gain the upper hand. However, there were some initial issues with his performance. Sinner was dominating the match with his strong groundstrokes, but he struggled with Hanfmann's low forehands and tactics that forced him to move around the court more.
Sinner handled Hanfmann's questions confidently, walking back and forth on the well-kept grass like a lively character from a cartoon movie. He showed off his quick reactions and creativity during the match. At one point, Sinner displayed both skills by returning a powerful shot from Hanfmann with a skillful volley along the line.
In this scenario, skillful maneuvering and spontaneity can play a crucial role, and Sinner seems to have these skills in his grasp. However, maintaining a consistent performance is just as important, and this is an area where Sinner struggled.
Yet, he managed to hold his serve despite facing many difficulties. Meanwhile, Hanfmann started to make mistakes with his groundstrokes, finding it hard to hit the ball over the net. In the end, Sinner broke the German's serve to take a 4-2 lead in the first set. He hit a powerful forehand shot that Hanfmann couldn't reach, widening the gap between them as the sky darkened.
There were some brief rain showers and a light breeze, but there was nothing gentle about how Sinner demonstrated his control in the upcoming game. Pressing against Hanfmann, he swiftly scored a point with a backhand volley, securing a 5-2 lead. Hanfmann managed to hold on for one more game in the set, but Sinner's dominance was undeniable.
However, Hanfmann remained determined. In the beginning of the second set, he enticed Sinner to come to the net and then defeated him with a topspin lob. The top-ranked player in the world applauded before the ball even hit the ground. But Sinner, who is also a top-ranked player in the world, was not satisfied with staying put. Instead, he was eager to take the lead.
The Italian player didn't pull ahead as quickly as expected after winning the first set. However, his powerful forehands and serves were hard for his opponent to handle, leading to breaks and holds. The final score was 6-3 6-4.
However, Sinner's lack of consistency in the beginning reappeared, allowing Hanfmann to showcase his skill and creativity in shotmaking. Sinner faltered in the early stages of the third set, leading to a larger setback. Finding himself down 4-0 in the third set, Sinner had to rely on his resilience to make a comeback. He managed to fight back and win a tough game to make it 4-2, but Hanfmann was on a roll and ultimately took the set 6-3 with his inspired play.
After that, he was stopped when the roof shut.
After the break, Sinner showed renewed energy and determination, outplaying the German player. He made impressive moves, quickly closing the gap in the score by securing a break at 2-1. Sinner's agility and accuracy in hitting shots and volleys left his opponent struggling to keep up.
The top player had finally found some smoothness in his game, while Hanfmann struggled. Sinner secured the win with a powerful backhand shot along the line. This victory means he will face his fellow Italian, Matteo Berrettini, in the next round - a player who has reached the finals at Wimbledon before.
That will be a challenging challenge, and it might demand more effort from Sinner than what he showed on Monday.
Regardless, it is crucial to be in top form during major tournaments. Sinner has perfected this skill since last year and proved it in Melbourne. Now, he will strive to demonstrate it in London.
