Daijiworld Media Network - Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo, Apr 9: World No. 2 Jannik Sinner fought through a demanding three-set battle to defeat Tomas Machac and secure a place in the quarterfinals of the Monte-Carlo Masters on Thursday.

The second seed started in commanding fashion, cruising through the opening set 6-1 with sharp and controlled play. However, the match took a turn in the second set as Sinner’s rhythm dipped, allowing Machac to build a 5-2 lead. Although Sinner mounted a comeback to force a tie-break, he fell short, losing it 3-7 and pushing the match into a deciding set.

Speaking after the match, Sinner acknowledged that it was not his strongest performance but expressed satisfaction with the result. He noted that fatigue affected his game and stressed that advancing was the primary objective.

In the final set, Sinner regained composure and elevated his level, displaying improved precision and consistency to close out the match 6-3.

He highlighted the importance of resilience, saying that even on days when form is lacking, players must find ways to push through and secure victories.

Statistically, Sinner delivered five aces and won 72 percent of points on his first serve. He converted seven of 11 break-point opportunities, while Machac capitalised on two of his four chances. Overall, Sinner outscored his opponent 92 points to 72.

Looking ahead, Sinner emphasised the need for recovery before his next match as he prepares for the quarterfinal clash against Felix Auger-Aliassime, aiming to continue his strong run in the tournament.