Jannik Sinner makes huge statement after defeating Casper Ruud to reach semifinals; “I was feeling… See more
Sinner celebrates after his win over Casper Ruud in the quarterfinal round of the Italian Open in Rome on Thursday.
Jannik Sinner marched into the semifinals of the Italian Open on Wednesday after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1 and sending a warning that the world No. 1 is officially back.
Casper Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since his return from a three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in Madrid earlier this month.
In his previous matches, Jannik Sinner looked to be still finding his feet after his suspension, which he accepted from the World Anti-Doping Agency for testing positive for traces of clostebol in March last year.
But the 23-year-old beats No. 6 seed Ruud in just over an hour with an ominous display of tennis, and his domination was such that the home fans at the packed center court, seemingly out of sympathy, began to cheer the rare points that Ruud won.
Ruud even got the loudest cheer of the match when he held his serve for the only time, in Game 3 of the second set, holding his arms aloft in ironic celebration.
“I was feeling great on court today,” Sinner said. “I think we all saw that.
“How I felt today was very, very positive signs for me … I was serving well and also returning well. Moving great on the court, so I’m very happy about that.”
Tommy Paul, a 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 winner over Hubert Hurkacz in the day’s first match, is likely wondering what he can do to stop Sinner if the Italian brings that form to Friday’s semifinal clash.
Sinner won the first set in just 27 minutes, giving up only seven points as he stalked the court with intent, dressed all in black as he has been all week.
Sinner maintained his record of not dropping a set in the tournament to not so much stroll as smash into the last four, and send a message to Carlos Alcaraz.
Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner’s key Grand Slam rival ahead of the French Open, will contest the other semifinal with Lorenzo Musetti on Friday afternoon.