Jannik Sinner achieves world No 1 ranking milestone with Alexander Zverev win, but fresh injury fears for Italian
Jannik Sinner came through a tough three-set match against Alexander Zverev to reach the Cincinnati Open final, but there are once again major concerns over his long-standing hip injury.
The pair had to battle the elements as they started off in sunshine before the rain came down, forcing them off with the match only completed during the evening session.
In the end world No 1 Sinner triumphed 7-6 (11-9), 5-7, 7-6 (7-4) in three hours and seven minutes to reach his fifth ATP Masters 1000 final.
With the win, Sinner secured the No 1 spot in the ATP Rankings until the end of September, guaranteeing him at least 16 weeks at the top.
The Italian is currently in his 11th week at No 1 and will remain there until September 29 with the extra five weeks helping him to draw level with Daniil Medvedev in 18th place for most weeks at No 1.
Mats Wilander will be his next target after that with the Swede on 20 weeks at the top of the rankings.
“It means a lot to me. It’s a very different moment, what I’m going through, so I’m very happy about this result,” Sinner said after the match.
“The physical aspect, of course, I have to improve, because if I want to win Grand Slams or a bigger title, I have to be, for sure, more in shape. But I just tried to stay there mentally, which I’m very proud [of], and let’s see what’s coming tomorrow.”
And the physical aspect he mentions is no doubt his hip as he was clearly in discomfort throughout the match, clutching the troublesome hip several times.
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Sinner, though, refused to discuss the injury during the post-match press conference although he insisted before the tournament “I feel good”.
“I feel quite good. Obviously I made nearly one week without practising before and then after playing for two, three days in a row, a bit more than usual, [that] could [have had] a potential impact to the hip,” he said. “But I’m not afraid. I feel good with the hip, and I’m just looking forward to go back on court here.”
That hip will be a major concern with the US Open just a week away as he has already missed one big event this year – his home event the Italian Open – due to the injury.
Naturally coming through a three-setter despite not being 100% left Sinner upbeat ahead of the final against Frances Tiafoe.
“I’m very happy about this performance, and obviously very happy to be in the final,” the Italian said.
Tiafoe beat the 15th-seeded Holger Rune 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) to reach his maiden ATP Masters 1000 final.
