Sinner Beats Fellow Nitto ATP Finals Hopeful Karatsev In Lyon

  • Posted: May 19, 2021

Jannik Sinner came through a tough test against Aslan Karatsev on Wednesday for a place in the Open Parc Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Lyon second round.

The Italian, who sits in 10th place in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin for a spot at the Nitto ATP Finals in November, beat seventh-placed Karatsev 0-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over two hours and 32 minutes. Sinner now plays French lucky loser Arthur Rinderknech.

“It was tough,” said sixth seed Sinner, who lost to Karatsev in three sets at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in March. “He is a great player, especially this year with some big results. I dug deep today and I am happy to have won today. It’s definitely good to have the support of the crowd in order to come back from Aslan’s fast start.”

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Karatsev won the first six games, saving three break points along the way, before Sinner began to find his range. The Italian raced to a 4-0 lead in the second set and while he was broken in the fifth game, Sinner saved three break points in a hold for 5-2.

The match was suspended for 70 minutes when Karatsev led 2-1 in the decider and upon the resumption of play both players came under pressure. Sinner drew Karatsev to the net at 4-4, and broke decisively prior to completing his 21st win of the season with a big serve (21-9).

Sinner, 19, captured his second ATP Tour title in February at the Great Ocean Road Open (d. Travaglia). He also advanced to his first ATP Masters 1000 final at the Miami Open presented by Itau (l. to Hurkacz) last month.

Rinderknech converted four of nine break points to defeat Swedish qualifier Mikael Ymer 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-2 in two hours and 22 minutes. It was just his fourth ATP Tour match win.

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