Jannik Sinner, the Italian tennis prodigy, showed remarkable resilience by defeating Alex Michelsen in the daytime session of the Miami Open round of 16, in a match filled with tension and challenges. The match, which Sinner won in two sets, was not straightforward, especially after having played the night before. However, the young talent did not let this affect him and managed to maintain his impressive streak of 14 consecutive victories without dropping a set in Masters 1000 events.
“I knew that the most important thing was to win,” Sinner stated, having to battle through the difficulties of the playing conditions. He emphasized his serving ability, which was crucial for the victory. “I believe I served very well in the decisive moments, and that helped me a lot. It wasn’t easy overall because I played at night. The conditions are completely different, so I looked for a solution and the focus was on securing the win. Now, I will have a day off to find a good rhythm from the baseline,” the athlete explained in an interview with Tennis Channel.
Sinner also commented on Michelsen’s performance, acknowledging the difficulty his opponent brought to the match. “Alex is a tricky player. He served well and played impressively from the baseline. In the second set, he played better than I did for a while. I was a bit fortunate because when he served for the set, the sun was in his face,” he vented.
When asked about the pressure that the world’s top tennis players face in each match, Sinner reflected on a statement made by Carlos Alcaraz, his rival who currently holds the number one spot in the world rankings. “It’s normal to have a target on your back. I treat all opponents the same, with great respect. That’s the mentality I bring to each match. I give my all, which is the only thing I can control. If your opponent plays better than you, you have to accept it,” Sinner stated, demonstrating maturity beyond his years.
The athlete also addressed the possibility of a meeting with Alcaraz, emphasizing the long journey ahead. “Do things change when Alcaraz is no longer in the tournament? Of course they do. But we know that we can only meet in the final, being the numbers one and two in the world. The road is long and filled with tough matches. I enjoy watching tennis and, of course, Carlos as well, but I know that each match is unique. A second can be enough to lose, and you don’t win just by getting past the first round. I know I can go far, but I also know I can lose. I’m focused on one rival at a time,” Sinner said.
Finally, when asked about his ambition to reach the top spot in the rankings, Sinner was clear and cautious. “I know the scenarios. On clay, everything changes. There are emerging players, and that’s positive. There are always points at stake. I play to show the best version of myself, and the ranking is just a consequence,” he concluded.
With a focused mindset and unwavering determination, Jannik Sinner continues to impress on the professional circuit, showing that his journey has only just begun and that he is willing to fight for every victory.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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