A good start for Jannik Sinner . The South Tyrolean champion made a winning return after his defeat in the US Open final against Carlos Alcaraz, which also cost him his world number 1 ranking.

In the first round of the ATP 500 in Beijing, the Italian defeated Croatian Marin Cilic , a veteran of the circuit who was also champion at Flushing Meadows, but now in his twilight years. It was an easy victory, achieved in just over an hour and 20 minutes with a score of 6-2, 6-2 .

The world number 2 will not find Carlos Alcaraz on his way to the title, who is playing the ATP 500 in Tokyo where he defeated the Argentine Baez 6-4, 6-2 .

"I'm working especially on my serve; sometimes I'm a little slow," Sinner said. "I'm mixing things up, trying to improve, and I'm 90 percent focused on that. I'm happy with today's performance; I was focused and attentive, because the first round is always a risk."

(Unioneonline/L)

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