Jannik Sinner moved into the second round of the Rome Masters with a hard-won win over Francisco Cerundolo, battling through tough conditions and a tough, highly competitive opponent before a lively home crowd.
Italian superstar Jannik Sinner exhibited mental toughness and physical determination to wear down the Argentine in a test of his patience, poise, and flexibility.
Sinner was one of the crowd favorites who entered the match but understood that he was in for a fight. Cerundolo, who was famous for his dogged baseline game and never-say-die spirit, forced Sinner into trouble from the very beginning.
After winning the early break in the first set, Sinner watched as his lead was taken away when Cerundolo broke back. Instead of the momentum change unsettling him, Sinner turned his attention inward to his mental game.
Sinner said, “He’s a very tough competitor. Obviously, a great challenge for me. Especially now in this moment, trying to get used to so many difficult situations on the court. I was up a break in the first set. Then, when he broke me back, I just tried to stay there mentally and play every point.”
His coolness under pressure was the determining factor. Sinner handled the crucial points with calm and started to get into his rhythm as the match wore on.
The contest wasn’t about shot-making and power — it was about riding the tidal wave of momentum.“Very heavy conditions. It was a very long day.”
Weather Brings Another Dimension of Challenge For Jannik Sinner
The challenging conditions were not merely physical, but also environmental. Wet courts and tardy schedules impacted rhythm and concentration. For Sinner, getting used to the conditions was another test of maturity and increasing experience on the ATP tour.
Where the weather was difficult, the Italian crowd provided an improvement. Sinner attributed the contribution of the supporters towards propelling him through the pivotal stages of the match.
“The crowd helped me a lot today,” he added. “Happy to go through.”
With this victory, Sinner continues his progress through the Rome draw, a tournament where there are high hopes for the home hero.
His combination of tactical acumen, mental toughness, and crowd appeal could yet take him further into the event — and possibly to a title on home turf.