Jannik Sinner is into the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-finals, having beaten Tomas Machac earlier today.
However, it was far from straightforward for the former world number one, who saw his incredible 37-set Masters 1000 streak come to an end.
He will not care though, having secured safe passage into the next round, moving one step closer to the final and the opportunity to overtake Carlos Alcaraz at the top of the world rankings.
Alas, there will be some cause for concern, particularly after what Jannik Sinner said immediately following the match.
Jannik Sinner explains why he struggled so much vs Tomas Machac
Speaking court-side live on Sky Sports, the Italian admitted: “I think I can be happy, not every day is the same, I was struggling a little bit, I was a bit tired, so, I hope I can recover as much as I can for tomorrow, but, look, I try to do my best in every match I play, most importantly today, was trying to get through somehow.
“I know every day can change a lot. I could play amazing tennis tomorrow, hopefully. Look, I just try to perform in the best possible way, and today was still very, very positive. [On fitness] I felt great before the match, then in the second set, I struggled a bit with trying to find the right energy, but this can happen, I try to push myself through, which I have done, so, even when you don’t feel the best, trying to find the ways, and that was the case today.”
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Then, looking ahead to his upcoming match against Felix Auger-Aliassime, he added: “I’m happy, but the main priority is to recover, and then hopefully be ready for tomorrow, it’s going to be a tough match. Felix is playing great, especially on this surface, here on clay, but I’m happy, we’ll see how it goes.”
Alcaraz has conceded that Sinner will overtake him as world number one soon, but that outcome relies on the latter outperforming the seven-time Grand Slam champion here at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Jamie Murray reacts after Jannik Sinner suffers from physical problems during Monte Carlo match
Jamie Murray, who was the pundit speaking during the match, also offered his view on what was a worrying incident for Sinner.
After all, against better players than Machac, his physical drop-off could be truly punished.
Discussing that fitness blip and what it might mean when he faces Auger-Aliassime, Murray noted: “He recovered well from that big drop off in the second set, very strong third set for him, very dominant on his own serve, Machac, I don’t really know what to say, strange performance, strange finish to the match as well.
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“When he’s on, he’s definitely on, he can do a lot of damage, but that base level just wasn’t there. Sinner will be relieved to get through that match in the end, given his physical struggles, hopefully he will make a full recovery for his quarter-final match tomorrow. Very dominant on serve, only lost three points in that third set, strong comeback.”
