Jannik Sinner won his sixth consecutive match on Saturday, defeating Germany’s Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 6-3 in the Shanghai Masters second round.
Sinner, who recently won the China Open title, will be hoping to add a fourth ATP title to his 2025 collection following previous triumphs at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
The Italian’s chances of lifting the Shanghai Masters title increased following Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal, a decision Sinner described as ‘unfortunate.’
Sinner is the defending Shanghai champion, and it is difficult to picture anyone but the Italian lifting the trophy again in China.
The Italian is one step closer to doing so and has rivalled Pete Sampras in the process.
Jannik Sinner’s prolific hard-court form
Jannik Sinner has continued to demonstrate why he is a generational talent – one who could have played at the top of the sport in any era.
The Italian has demonstrated a particular proficiency on hard courts, as was the case with American 14-time Grand Slam champion, Pete Sampras.
As per Sky Sports Tennis Italy, Sinner has rivalled the American legend following his latest victory.
Sinner has now won 59 of his first 75 matches at ATP Masters 1000 events that use hard courts.
Only Pete Sampras has bettered this figure, winning 61 of his first 75 ATP Masters 1000 hard-court matches.
Sampras, who won 64 ATP Tour-level singles titles during his career, was particularly effective on hard and grass courts.
In fact, Sampras won all of his Grand Slams on the two surfaces; he never won the French Open.
Sinner’s dominant record against Griekspoor
Jannik Sinner’s next opponent, Tallon Griekspoor, has failed to make much of an impact against his Italian peer.
The Dutchman, seeded 27th in Shanghai, has never defeated Sinner on the ATP Tour.
The pair first met at the 2023 Rotterdam Open. Sinner won the contest in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6.
Since then, Sinner has won five more matches against Griekspoor, including during the latter stages of the Davis Cup.
Sinner emerged triumphant after their last contest at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, winning 7-6, 6-2.
