Match after match, he is rising in level and getting closer to his best possible form. Jannik Sinner does not stop, defeats the Argentine Francisco Cerundolo with the score of 7-6, 6-3 and reaches the quarterfinals of the Internazionali d'Italia . With Lorenzo Musetti there are two Italians among the top eight in the Rome tournament, something that hasn't happened in 41 years.

World number 18, in great form and very fearsome on clay, the Argentine represented the first real complicated obstacle for the world number 1 since returning from a three-month break due to the Clostebol case.

And the South Tyrolean handled it perfectly, as he has accustomed us to for a year and a half. "We need to raise the level," he said after the match with De Jong. And he didn't hesitate to do so, especially in the key moments of the game.

It starts after 7pm due to the rain, the match was scheduled for 3pm. Sinner starts strong, Cerundolo is forced to save four break points in the first game, then loses his serve in the fifth game. But the Argentine's level rises, he immediately places the counterbreak for 3-3 at the end of a very long game and then continues on serve until 6 all, with Sinner forced to defuse a dangerous 15-30 on 5-4 in favor of Cerundolo .

In the tiebreak Jannik raises his level and concentration , setting all the exchanges on the backhand diagonal, where he is clearly stronger, and prevents the Argentine from easily freeing his lightning forehand . Not even a lucky ribbon in favor of Cerundolo dents the world number 1, who closes the set 7-2 .

In the second set at 2-1, after closing out a crazy point that gets the Foro Italico center back on his feet, Sinner calls the physiotherapist for the blisters on his feet . And he returns to the court more charged than ever, putting pressure on his opponent, who is forced to overdo it and makes a few too many mistakes. So comes the break of 3-1 and for the world number 1 the road to the quarterfinals is cleared. Sinner even goes to 5-1, a small lapse when he needs to for the match, but the Italian closes 6-3 (also canceling a break point in the ninth game) and flies to the quarterfinals. He will play on Thursday against the winner of the challenge between Ruud, fresh winner at the 1000 in Madrid, and Munar.

With Sinner in the quarterfinals there is also Lorenzo Musetti , on the court Wednesday evening against the number 2 in the world Zverev. In the women's event , Jasmine Paolini advances, who will play her semifinal on Thursday. Three Italians in the final stages of the Rome tournament: it is a historic day, yet another in this last period, for Italian tennis.

JANNIK'S WORDS

"Let's say I knew that before the match I had to raise the level and I did it, it was a very long day and it was important to manage myself before the match in a perfect way . Thank you very much for the cheering, it was a great honor", said Sinner after the match.

The world number 1 then mentioned his compatriots: «It is incredible to have so many players moving forward. Yesterday, however, there was great disappointment for Matteo Berrettini for what he is going through with so many injuries . Knowing him, I know how much he wanted to play here, we are all with him. Then I am very happy for Musetti and Paolini . Now let's see what comes out of it».

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