Jannik Sinner took full advantage of the dicey stamina of Tokyo winner Ben Shelton to advance 7-6 (2), 7-5 in an opening match on Wednesday at the ATP event in Vienna.
The second-seeded Italian fired 28 winners in a move into the second round to avenge a loss he took to the American this month in the Shanghai fourth round.
“It was a very tough match. He always serves really well, and today was obviously the same,” the winner said.
“I lost the last matchup, so I’m happy that I won this one. I’m already looking forward to the next one.
“I’m very happy about the performance and happy to be in the next round.”
Sinner didn’t have everything his own way against the US Open semi-finalist, with the Italian saving four break points; a break at 5-all in the second set for Sinner proved to be decisive.
Sinner now takes on compatriot Lorenzo Sonego, against whom he stands 3-0.
