ROME — Jannik Sinner, Italy’s top-ranked tennis player, is slowly regaining his momentum on the court following a three-month suspension related to doping. Earlier this week at the Italian Open, Sinner displayed resilience by overcoming a momentary lapse to secure a 6-4, 6-2 victory against Jesper De Jong, a qualifier from the Netherlands. This match marks Sinner’s second return to competitive play.
Sinner started strongly, quickly taking a 4-1 lead. However, his game briefly faltered, allowing De Jong, ranked 93rd, to close the gap and even the first set at 4-4. Despite making some errors, including poor drop shots and a double-fault, Sinner regained his composure. In front of his supportive home crowd, he capitalized on his powerful groundstrokes and a formidable serve to reclaim control of the match. With this win, Sinner extended his remarkable streak to 23 consecutive victories, which began last October.
Reflecting on the match, Sinner acknowledged the initial dip in performance but expressed relief upon regaining his form. “I felt like I started the match very well and then I had a big drop,” he said. “I tried to understand what was going on. Then fortunately I broke him on 4-all again, which then gave me the confidence to continue.” This tournament is his first since securing his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January.
The Italian Open serves as the final major preparation before the French Open commences on May 25. Fans at the Foro Italico passionately supported Sinner, Italy’s first No. 1-ranked player, bolstering his confidence with cheers and chants. “It’s good to have him back,” remarked 12th-ranked Tommy Paul, speaking highly of Sinner after his own victory over Tomas Machac. “He’s such a big figure in the sport. He kind of sets the bar right now.”
In his match against De Jong, Sinner led 22-16 in winners and committed fewer unforced errors than his opponent, reversing a trend from his earlier match against Mariano Navone. Additionally, Sinner’s improved serving resulted in four aces. Next, he is set to face Francisco Cerundolo, the 17th seed, who recently defeated Sebastian Ofner of Austria. Reflecting on past encounters, Sinner recalled a previous loss against Cerundolo at the same venue. “It’s going to be tough. For sure I have to raise my level if I want to play even. … I’m trying to understand where my game is so it’s going to be a good challenge, good test for me,” he admitted.
During the match, a notable moment occurred when De Jong fell on the clay after losing his balance. Displaying sportsmanship, Sinner crossed the net to check on the Dutch player, offering assistance by fetching a towel and wiping his racket handle. De Jong required medical attention for his right wrist before continuing play.
Elsewhere, seventh-seeded Alex De Minaur advanced to the fourth round, overcoming Bolivian qualifier Hugo Dellien. Their match was interrupted twice—first due to a spectator’s illness and then by an unexpected flyover by the Italian Air Force. De Minaur later expressed his frustration with the disruption, acknowledging a need for better mental focus to navigate external distractions.
On the women’s side, Coco Gauff decisively defeated Emma Raducanu 6-1, 6-2 in a clash of former U.S. Open champions. Meanwhile, Peyton Stearns edged Naomi Osaka in a grueling match lasting over two hours, while Jasmine Paolini delighted the home crowd by defeating 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko to reach the quarterfinals.