Jannik Sinner ends losing run against Stefanos Tsitsipas while cheeky Stan Wawrinka eyes ‘free lesson’

Shahida Jacobs
Jannik Sinner celebrates
Jannik Sinner applauds fans

Jannik Sinner claimed the biggest win of his career in terms of ranking as he brushed aside Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Rotterdam Open to set up against Stan Wawrinka, who has been told he has “no chance” against the Italian.

Fresh from winning the Open Sud de France in Montpellier, Sinner kept his winning run going as he beat the world No 3 and top seed 6-4, 6-3.

Having lost the last five encounters against Tsitsipas – including a five-set defeat at the Australian Open in January – it was a welcome win for the 21-year-old who is now 2-5 against the Greek.

“Head-to-head I am still far back to him,” Sinner said. “For me this is a very important win. I lost a tough one in Australia, where I felt like I was playing great. Today I was also playing good.”

Sinner broke in game nine of the opening set and carried the momentum over to the second set with a break in the opening game. He sealed the win with a second break to love in game nine.

“It means a lot obviously,” the world No 14 said. “A lot of work behind. I’m very happy. I played some good tennis, very focussed today. Hopefully I can keep it going but for sure, Stef is an incredible player. I have a lot of respect for him. He played incredible tennis this year already.

“I was looking forward to this match to be honest, after my win yesterday already. So I’m very happy about my performance today.”

Up next is three-time Grand Slam winner Wawrinka and the Swiss was told by one fan that he should rather focus on his next match as he will lose against the Italian.

“Wawrinka should just default loss and save his energy for next tourney lol. He has no chance,” the fan tweeted.

But the 37-year-old took the comment in his stride and replied: “I will get a lesson for free at least 😉”

The winner of that clash will face either Tallon Griekspoor, who upset eighth seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday, or Gijs Brouwer in the semi-final.

World No 160 Brouwer made it an all-Dutch wildcard quarter-final when he moved into the last eight when fourth seed Holger Rune retired while 6-4, 4-0 down.

The bottom half of the draw will see defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime take on Daniil Medvedev after the former extended his streak in Rotterdam with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Gregoire Barrere .

Medvedev booked his place in the last eight with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.

“The further you go, normally the higher-ranked players you play,” Medvedev, who has won all four of his duels with Auger-Aliassime, said.

“Felix is a top player. He won here last year and played amazing at the end of last year. Looking forward to a tough match and hopefully I can be at my best.”

The other quarter-final will see Alex de Minaur, who defeated Maxime Cressy 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, take on Grigor Dimitrov.

READ MORE: Who is Jannik Sinner’s girlfriend Maria Braccini?

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