Dream debut for Jannik Sinner. Catapulted into the ATP Finals for the forfeit of Matteo Berrettini, the South Tyrolean beats the Polish Hubert Hurcakz 2-0 and proves to be much more than a simple reserve.
An hour and 25 minutes of great tennis, the rival-friend annihilated with a 6-2, 6-2 that leaves no doubt about Jannik's splendid performance. A test of maturity against the Pole who had defeated him in the final in Miami.
"It was a very long day, I tried to give my best and I played a good match, managing the inevitable emotions", he says at the end of the match. Then the special dedication, "Matteo you are an idol", with a lot of heart on the cameras, a custom in the world of tennis when you triumph in a challenge.
In front of the microphones, he barely managed to hold back the emotion. "We are playing this tournament for Matteo, I want to say only this - says the twenty year old from the field of Pala Alpitour in Turin - because he is not only a great player, but above all he is an incredible person. I'm sorry that he was unable to play, I want to do I do my best and we all hope he will recover soon because he is a champion. "
On Thursday Sinner returns to the field against Danil Medvedev, world number 2 and reigning champion, already qualified for the semifinals. Jannik must win and hope that Zverev doesn't beat Hurkacz if he is to go to the semifinals.
(Unioneonline / L)
