Sinner Sizzles In Win Over Tsitsipas In Rotterdam; Medvedev, FAA Role While Rune Injured

Italian sensation Jannik Sinner stopped the rot in Rotterdam snapping a 4-match losing streak to Stefanos Tsitsipas in impressive fashion topping the top seed 6-4, 6-3.

Sinner, ranked No. 14, tallied three aces, won 25/28 (89%) on first service points, 12/16 (75%) on second serves, was 3 of 4 on break chances, and never faced a break point.

“It means a lot obviously,” Sinner said to the ATP. “A lot of work behind. I’m very happy. I played some good tennis, very focused today. Hopefully I can keep it going but for sure, Stef is an incredible player. I have a lot of respect for him. He played incredible tennis this year already.

“I was looking forward to this match to be honest, after my win yesterday already. So I’m very happy about my performance today.”

The 21-year-old Sinner broke Tsitsipas for 5-4 in the first and then served it out, and broke the Greek for a third time at 5-3 in the second to win it taking the last eight points of the contest.

Tsitsipas, who finished 14/30 (47%) on second serves, suffered his second defeat of the season. He had made Rotterdam finals last year.

Sinner is now to 2-17 against Top 5 players.

Defending champion and No. 3 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime cruised past 29-year-old Frenchmen Gregoire Barrere 6-4, 6-3. Auger Aliassime, ranked No. 8, tallied nine aces and broke serve three times in the match. The Canadian won the last 3 games en route to the win.

Sixth-seeded Daniil Medvedev crushed 27-year-old Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-2, 6-2. Alex De Minaur of Australia squeaked by Maxime Cressy 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 and Dutch wildcard Gijs Brouwer got a retirement from Holger Rune who bowed out down 6-4, 6-0 due to his right wrist.

Medvedev will now face Auger-Aliassime.

“The further you go, normally the higher-ranked players you play,” Medvedev said to the ATP. “Felix is a top player. He won here last year and played amazing at the end of last year. Looking forward to a tough match and hopefully I can be at my best.

Friday’s schedule includes quarterfinals play with No. 3 Felix Auger-Aliassime – No. 6 Daniil Medvedev, Alex De Minaur – Grigor Dimitrov, former champ Stan Wawrinka – Jannik Sinner plus a Dutch battle between Tallon Griekspoor – Gijs Brouwer.