Jannik Sinner, Italy's top-ranked tennis star, continued his triumphant return to the court with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-2 victory over Dutch qualifier Jesper De Jong at the Italian Open on Monday. Playing his first tournament since completing a three-month doping suspension, Sinner showcased resilience despite early challenges.
The crowd at Foro Italico witnessed a rollercoaster first set as Sinner raced to a 4-1 lead before committing unforced errors that allowed De Jong to level at 4-4. The 22-year-old eventually recalibrated with trademark power serves and precise groundstrokes to claim his 23rd consecutive match win.
"After the initial dip, breaking back at 4-all gave me the push I needed," Sinner reflected post-match. The 2024 Australian Open champion now prepares for Wednesday's clash against 17th-seeded Francisco Cerundolo – a rematch of Sinner's 2022 Rome defeat to the Argentine.
The rising star's performance draws attention from sports analysts and investors eyeing tennis' commercial growth in Asia. With three Grand Slam titles already under his belt, Sinner's comeback trail offers insights into athlete resilience amid career disruptions.
