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PARIS (Reuters) – Clay master Rafa Nadal passed his first real test of this year’s French Open with a 7-6 (4) 6-4 6-1 win against rising Italian star Jannik Sinner in his search for a record 13th title. gained momentum on Tuesday.
The Spaniard, who is also looking to match Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, was stretched by the 19-year-old Sinner when he staged a clash with Argentine Diego Schwartzman, who beat him in the Open quarterfinals. from Italy the past. month.
The 34-year-old Nadal’s 97 previous victories at Roland Garros made all the difference in key moments with the Spaniard recovering from a break in the first two sets.
Sinner, the first French Open rookie to reach the knockout stages since Nadal in 2005, confirmed his immense potential but lacked a bit of composure when it mattered.
“Sinner is a very, very young talent with a lot of power, great shots. During two sets it was difficult, especially in the second set I was lucky to be back,” Nadal said after a match played in cold conditions that ended in 0126. local time, the last final in a French Open.
“The conditions were a bit difficult, I was hitting each ball very hard and in this cold, my speed is not there. It was difficult for me to get him out of position.”
“Now I have two, well, almost a day and a half to rest and practice.”
South Tyrolian Sinner hit powerful groundstrokes, putting Nadal in the rear at many rallies on the Philippe Chatrier court, only for the Mallorcan to unlock his own massive right to turn the tide.
GREAT SUCCESSES
Sinner Sinner had the first break point, in the fifth game, but the Italian made an unforced error.
Nadal entered the competition having won 48 of his 50 service games, but was in trouble again at 5-5 when Sinner set up two break points.
He avoided the first with a forehand and the second when Sinner’s return from an inopportune shot by the Spaniard flew long. Deuce, Sinner created another break opportunity, which became when Nadal’s forehand was deflected.
Nadal had his first break points in the next game and converted the third with an impressive forehand down the line.
The Spaniard was more consistent in the tiebreaker as he advanced a set.
Sinner, who was three when Nadal first lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires, took time to have his right abductor muscle massaged. He then returned to the court with all weapons on fire, breaking for 3-1.
Nadal bounced back immediately as Sinner showed his first signs of frustration and the Spaniard broke down again in the ninth game before ending the set on serve, having significantly elevated his game.
Sinner, winner of last year’s ATP NextGen Finals, hit a wall and despite the Italian’s best efforts and energy, Nadal advanced 4-0 and did not release his grip, ending with an overhead blow.
“From now on, it’s just keeping my head down and trying to improve, trying to play hours after hours on the court, that I have to do,” Sinner said in a direct self-assessment.
“He took his chances, I didn’t take mine. I need to improve mentally, obviously.”
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Sam Holmes)
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