Jannik Sinner claims new career-high ranking after stunning win in Toronto
Italy’s Jannik Sinner claimed his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Toronto and the win secured the 21-year-old a new career-high ranking after a convincing victory in Canada.
Sinner struck the ball with clinical brilliance as he saw off Alex De Minaur to claim the title, as he handled the pressure of being favourite to win the final with a classy display that saw him improve as the match progressed.
The 6-4, 6-1 win may not have provided the extended entertainment a sell-out crowd were hoping for, but it was a big moment in the career of a player who may well be a multiple Grand Slam winner in the making.
“It means a lot. It is a great result,” said Sinner. “One I can share with all the people who are close to me every day.
“It is great to share this moment with my team and it gives me motivation to work even harder every day and to get better.
“It is a nice moment to share with them and we are doing the right things. This result makes us feel good, stronger and hungry to work even harder in the future.
“I am proud of how I handled the situation. Every opponent here is tough to play against.
“I felt the pressure, but I think I handled it very well. Trying to play point after point. Treating everyone with respect on the court, so I am happy with how I handled the situation.
“You try to stay in the moment, treat every opponent with respect and it is great to come through in the end.”
The victory ensures Sinner will rise to a career-high ranking of No 6 in the new ATP list that will be published on Monday.
It also positions him as one of the favourites for the US Open, a year after he reached match point in an epic clash with Carlos Alcaraz at Flushing Meadows.
Sinner was unable to take that match-winning chance and Alcaraz went on to win the title, yet this win in Toronto suggests Sinner is now ready to win the big titles in the sport.
Former British No 1 Greg Rusedski suggested Sinner was a live contender to claim the final major of 2023, as he saluted the Italian’s classy display.
“In the second set, he started to play so great tennis and he pushed through to the victory,” US Open finalist Rusedski told Amazon Prime.
“We are going to see this man win many Masters Series events and there is still a lot of room for improvement, which is always a good sign.
“Let’s not forget, he is about to turn 22 and he has a lot of time to improve and move up the rankings.
“You have to say, he is one of the guys who have a real shot at the US Open.”
Sinner claimed a stunning $1,019,335 prize money for the biggest title of his career, with De Minaur securing $556,630 for his runners-up finish.
Further consolation for De Minaur will come with his rise up to a career-high ranking of No 12.
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