Jannik Sinner looks to end losing streak against Stefanos Tsitsipas, winner to face Stan Wawrinka

Shahida Jacobs
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Victory for Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open

Jannik Sinner battled past Benjamin Bonzi in the first round of the Rotterdam Open and his reward is a clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas, who dominated their head-to-head record so far.

Fresh from winning the Open Sud de France in Montpellier on Sunday, Sinner had to work for his win as the Frenchman won the second set before he rallied for a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 victory in just over two hours.

“It’s definitely tough when you come quite late to the other tournament, so I am happy with my performance today,” the world No 14 said.

“It was not easy for me. We made a lot of unforced errors today. I tried to stay focused on my game. I started really well and I finished pretty well, so I am happy. Let’s what will happen in the next round.”

There is no respite for the unseeded Italian as he will face top seed Tsitsipas at the ATP 500, who beat Emil Ruusuvuori on Tuesday, for a place in the quarter-final.

Tsitsipas leads their head-to-head 5-1, having won their last four duels, including a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 fourth-round win at the Australian Open in January, with Sinner’s only win coming on the clay in Rome back in 2020.

“Stefanos is an incredibly good player. It will be difficult, of course, but I’m looking forward to this kind of competition,” the 21-year-old said.

The winner of that clash will face the resurgent Stan Wawrinka after the three-time Grand Slam winner claimed an impressive 6-3, 6-3 win over Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

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Fourth seed Holger Rune was also a comfortable winner on Wednesday as the Dane defeated French qualifier Constant Lestienne 6-4, 6-4 and he will face Dutch wildcard Gijs Brouwer next.

“It was tricky. It’s a lot about finding the rhythm here in the beginning of the tournament and first match you have to really be on your toes, especially I played a qualifier today who already has two matches in his bag,” Rune said.

“It made it more difficult, but I’m happy how I handled every situation today.”

Former world No 3 Grigor Dimitrov claimed the biggest upset in the afternoon session in Rotterdam as the Bulgarian defeated fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5).

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