A dream debut, a perfect match. Jannik Sinner made his debut as a reserve player in the tournament of the Masters at home, in Turin, by a coincidence that no one hoped for: the injury of Matteo Berrettini, the Italian “owner” who had to forfeit due to injury trying to recover up to last dribble in the afternoon. Nothing to do and Yannik, as champion of the future but also, above all, of the present, was ready. With a statistical curiosity that enhances this first victory even more: he is the youngest to participate in the ATP Finals since Del Potro in 2008.
On the other side of the field was Hubert Hurcazk, current number 9 in the world ATP ranking and last classified in these ATPs. And he dominated it from the start, with a first set closed 6-2 thanks to two breaks and a photocopy second set. A 2-0 that certifies his talent and blows up the PalaAlpitour in Turin and Italy in front of the TV.
At the end of the match, Jannik wrote a dedication to his teammate Matteo Berrettini on the camera: «Matteo, you are an idol». Before speaking to the whole Palazzetto as usual in the post match: «We will play this tournament for Matteo. He’s a great player but also an incredible person, I’m sorry he wasn’t able to take the field ». The match is almost perfect: «I’m happy with my performance, I lost against Hurkacz in the final and then I gained experience». On the Turin audience: “At first I was tense, I’m glad you all came.”
At the press conference he returned to Berrettini: «Did I hear from Berrettini? Before the game he wrote to me “warm up Jan, good luck and have fun”. The “have fun” is the best thing he wrote to me “. After the victory” I have not yet pulled out my mobile phone – he added – My dedication at the end? For me it is a positive day, I don’t show many emotions on the pitch because that’s how I am, but I took the audience with me. Then when the match ends the emotions go out and I think it’s normal. I think it’s a beautiful thing, they say I have no emotions and instead it’s not true. From the outside it all seems normal but it is not ».
Sinner must now win with Medvedev and hope that Hurkacz beats Zverev to reach the semifinals. And keep dreaming.
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