It is Sinner vs the Demon in the Toronto Masters final

Jannik Sinner earned a 6-4, 6-4 win over Tommy Paul to advance to his third ATP Masters 1000 final, where he will face red-hot Alex De Minaur.

Sinner was appearing in his fourth Masters semi-final of the season and has now reached the final of an ATP 1000 event for the second time this season after his run to the championship match in Miami.

Paul and Sinner probably got to play in slightly better conditions than was the case when De Minaur downed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1, 6-3.

“It was a very tough day. Very tricky conditions out here,” said De Minaur. “Very windy, and not easy to play tennis, so from the first point I just told myself to stay positive. I was going to try and win every point, try to be solid and not expect perfect tennis. I think that made the difference today.”

Sinner felt that his victory was a lot harder won than the scoreline suggests but he knows that he needs to rise to any challenges if he is to become a Masters champion at last.

“It’s always a privilege to stand on such a great court, playing a great match against an incredible opponent,” Sinner said post-match. “I’m just trying somehow to take any challenge that’s coming. Whether its the 46-ball rally [on break point in the second set] or also when you serve for the match and you get broken, and then after you have to find a solution somehow to win.

“I’m happy about how I reacted to every situation on the court. He played great. He’s a very nice guy. I’m happy to be again in the final and hopefully I can show some good tennis tomorrow.”

De Minaur broke new ground this week, reaching the quarter-finals of a Masters event for the first time in his career before coming through both the last eight and last four to reach the final.

“[I‘m proud of] bringing out the level that I knew I always could and being able to back it up day after day,” said De Minaur.

“That’s been one of the goals of mine, to stay consistent and keep bringing this level, and give myself chances to play in the deep ends of tournaments. To play against the best in the world and go toe to toe with them.

“I gave myself the chance this week, I’ve taken that opportunity, and tomorrow I get to play another final.”

Sinner acknowledged that he will be expected to best De Minaur despite the Australians excellent form both in Toronto and in previous tournaments on the swing.

“Pressure is something great,” he said. “When you feel pressure, it’s something positive. It’s a privilege to have; not many players have that.

“Alex is an incredible player. He’s showing that here in this tournament and the week before making the final in Los Cabos. Hopefully it’s going to be a great match.”

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