By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, August 9, 2025
Picture credit score: Cincinnati Open Fb
All-surface champion Jannik Sinner returned to his favored laborious courtroom in Cincinnati.
The world No. 1 mixed deconstruction with deception launching his Cincinnati title protection rolling to his twenty second consecutive hard-court victory.
When Sinner wasn’t busy torching blazing drives by Daniel Galan he bamboozled him with contact, flicking a clear forehand drop shot to wrap a 6-1, 6-1 sweep.
“I’d say I’m clearly very glad to be again right here,” Sinner advised Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj afterward. “It’s a particular place for me and final yr was a tremendous yr for me. So let’s see what’s coming.
“It’s very troublesome to play right here, I really feel just like the ball is flying quick so if you lose confidence with a few pictures it makes it very, very troublesome to play. I’m very glad about right now’s efficiency, taking part in in opposition to a qualifier, it’s not straightforward so I’m glad about right now and let’s see what’s coming.”
In his first match since dethroning two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to make historical past as the primary Italian to win Wimbledon, Sinner picked up proper the place he left off at SW19.
The world’s prime two have renewed their rivalry teeing off on the native golf course earlier than the Cincinnati Open started.
“We truly performed now a few occasions earlier than the event right here,” Sinner advised Prakash Amritraj. “I’m not a superb golfer, however I like to spend time doing various things.
“Perhaps now we are going to go as a result of I’ve tomorrow sooner or later off. Perhaps we are going to play a few holes right here. It’s the perfect place to play golf. In Cincinnati, there’s not a lot to do. So we’re truly fortunate the golf course is there.”
The reigning Australian Open and US Open champion was practically untouchable on serve profitable 22 of 23 first-serve factors and saving the one break level he confronted in a complete 59-minute conquest.
59 minutes… @janniksin 🤯💥 https://t.co/89X0Anp6G6 pic.twitter.com/MWkqgdy6It
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2025
Sinner will face both Argentinean Sebastian Baez or big-serving Canadian Gabriel Diallo with a possible spherical of 16 conflict looming in opposition to American Tommy Paul.
Newly-engaged Paul pounded out a 6-2, 6-2 win over Spaniard Pedro Martinez earlier right now.
Two of the highest 12 seeds didn’t clear their first hurdle within the prime quarter of the draw with each falling to Frenchmen.
Benjamin Bonzi beat No. 8-seeded Lorenzo Musetti 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(4). That upset got here shortly after Arthur Rinderknech outlasted 1th-seeded Casper Ruud 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2.
Launching his quest to turn into the primary man since legendary Roger Federer in 2014-2015 to efficiently defend Cincinnati, Sinner was in cost from the very outset. The lanky Italian’s consideration to element was evident when he bent over to choose up the coin and return it to chair umpire Aurelie Tourte after dropping the opening coin toss.
That was one of many final defeats Sinner took on at the present time.
The US Open champion rolled by way of 12 straight factors on serve profitable 4 of the primary 5 video games at love surging to a 5-0 lead after 17 minutes of play.
The reigning champion rips the ball with such fierce pressure off each wings, opponents should respect the deep drive. Seeing the Colombian qualifier again behind the baseline, Sinner flicked a dropper, adopted it ahead and bunted a backhand down the road to take the primary set in 26 minutes.
The bearded Colombian was on the verge of one other early-set blow out, when he dug in and fought again.
Galan denied 5 break factors in a punishing third recreation to carry for 1-2 within the second set.
Swatting a deep forehand return to push his opponent again behind the baseline, Sinner stepped in and scalded a forehand strike down the road breaking for 4-1.
The four-time main champion flicked a ultimate forehand drop shot closing in 59 minutes and scoring his twenty fifth consecutive opening victory.
After disarming his opponent right now, Sinner shared he didn’t hit a ball for 10 days after his Wimbledon win and believes that helps him return refreshed.
“I went with out tennis, it was 10 days,” Sinner advised Prakash Amritraj. “After I was a bit youthful, a few years in the past, I by no means needed to take the racquet away.
“Now each time when I’ve a small probability, I put it away, you understand? As a result of then I’ll have much more love for the game and for the sport. And likewise, appreciation to comeback and really feel good once more. I like this sport. I like to make sacrifices additionally and I additionally love the individuals I’ve round. It’s a superb mixture of many, many issues.”
