Jannik Sinner will be hoping for a more polished performance in the second round after coasting through his opening match on Sunday at the Australian Open with a 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 defeat of Botic Van De Zandschulp.
The Italian fourth seed who led his country to the Davis Cup title two months ago, advanced in two and a half hours with five breaks of the Dutchman’s serve.
But the outside title threat as the event began a day earlier than usual in what has been labelled a money grab by critics, knows he will have to lift his game fast to stay alive in the first major of the season.
Day 1 attendance reached nearly 60,000, more than expected according to TD Craig Tiley.
“It was good for me to get out there, and obviously it was not easy, even if I won in straight sets,” Sinner said
“He served well but I managed somehow to get the breaks in important moments.
“I’m happy to be back on court to compete, and that’s what I
love to do. So it was a nice feeling.”
Sinner’s march to the win went a bit off course in the third set before he recovered to advance in his first match since the Davis Cup final win over Australia in Spain.
“It’s never easy playing the first match of the season, so I’m happy to get the win and now I have two days of practice to get better,” Sinner said.
The flame-haired Sinner was cheered by a six-strong group of Carota Boy supporters, who made their first trip to Australia for the Open thanks to the help of a sponsor.
The fans – all childhood friends from an unnamed small town in the north of the peninsula – each dress in full length orange carrot onesies including a green sprout on top.
Such is their growing notoriety that they were given a media conference slot in English prior to the match, charming their way through the session.
“To be honest, it was a positive opening match,” ATP No. 4 Sinner said.
“I feel best-of-five can help me a little bit. You stay on court a little bit longer. You get to play a little bit longer, which is what I like to do.
“Then we see in the next rounds what’s coming.”
Sinner got as far as the fourth round here a year ago but is now tipped as an outsider in the title chase.
Italian Matteo Arnaldi joined Sinner in the second round, defeating Australian wild card Adam Walton 7-6 (5), 6-, 6-4.
Fifth seed Andrey Rublev was tested over five sets by Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild, who finally lost 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (6).
Rublev made life difficult on himself after winning the opening two sets but failing to deliver the final blow; victory took 15 minutes short of four hours.
Main photo:- Jannik Sinner by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
