Jannik Sinner’s existing hip pain problem proved to be a minor distraction as the top seed outlasted Karen Khachanov 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 on Tuesday in a comeback win at the Madrid Masters.
Victory in just under two and a quarter hours sends the Australian Open champion to the last eight here for the first time.
Sinner lost his first set of the event as he advanced but said some previous pain in his left hip proved not to be as big a problem as had perhaps been anticipated.
“If I look back I’ve played a lot of matches and not had much time off, so this can happen,” the winner said.
“In my mind I know this. If it would have been worse than yesterday, then I would have thought about (competing) today,
“But if I have a chance to get through situations early in my career, I want to give it a try.”
He added: “For sure I’m not physically at 100 per cent today. . “But , I have a day off tomorrow which can help me to get through.
“I’m happy to be in the quarters here.”
Sinner won his 28th match of the season against two defeats.
