Top-ranked Jannik Sinner began his China Open title defense with a hard-fought victory over Nicolas Jarry. Despite losing the first set, Sinner claimed a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory, extending his win streak to 12 matches. Having already secured titles at Cincinnati and the U.S. Open, Sinner is in excellent form, with a 76-6 record in the past year.
Jarry, who had defeated Sinner in their previous encounter on grass, started strong with 11 winners in the opening set. Reflecting on the match, Sinner admitted to struggling initially but managed to stay mentally strong to turn the tide in his favor. He credited his mental resilience for the comeback.
In another match, Adrian Mannarino secured his 300th tour win by rallying from a set down to defeat Lorenzo Sonego. The Frenchman showcased his experience by overcoming a tough challenge, marking a significant milestone in his career.
On the women’s side, winners in the first round of matches included Kamilla Rakhimova, Jana Fett, Camilla Osorio, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, and Nadia Podoroska. The top seeds, including U.S. Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, received first-round byes.
In the Japan Open, top-seeded Taylor Fritz suffered an upset at the hands of Arthur Fils. Fils impressed with 32 winners, showcasing a powerful game that proved too much for Fritz to handle. Defending champion Ben Shelton also faced a tough challenge but managed to overcome Reilly Opelka in a three-set battle.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, returning from the Laver Cup, succumbed to Alex Michelsen, while Brandon Nakashima emerged victorious in an all-American clash against Frances Tiafoe. Tommy Paul and other players like Jack Draper, Tomas Machac, and Yoshihito Nishioka also advanced in the tournament.
The tournament featured several exciting matches and unexpected results, showcasing the fierce competition on the ATP and WTA tours. Fans can look forward to more thrilling encounters as the events progress.
