Jannik Sinner is out of the Dubai ATP 500. The blue, subdued by his standards, never really entered the game against Hubert Hurkacz, the Polish friend with whom he plays doubles (even in Dubai, where however the two had retired on the eve of the match in singles) and that almost a year ago he had already passed him in the final of the Masters 1000 in Miami.
“Hubi”, on which Jannik had taken revenge in November at the ATP Finals, this time dominated the match in two sets, 6-3 6-3, once again exposing the shortcomings of the blue, especially in the service. and blowing it in addition – by only one point! – the place among the top 10.
Jannik probably paid today, physically and emotionally, the bill for the unexpected and untimely farewell to the historic coach Piatti, consumed just on the eve of the trip to the Gulf. Already on his debut against Davidovich-Fokina Sinner had risked losing in two sets, but he had been good and lucky to save three matchpoints. The victory in the second round against the ghost of Andy Murray had deluded, today the knots have come to a head. In fact Sinner didn’t do the winter training, and against Hurkacz he seemed particularly packed (and foul). Unfortunately, the ‘Sunshine Double’ is already upon us, the encore of American Masters 1000 from Indian Wells and Miami where Jannik has heavy bills in terms of ATP points due. Perhaps in the next few days some “excellent” integration will arrive in his new team, which for now only counts coach Simone Vagnozzi and physiotherapist Paolo Cadamuro. Or perhaps, surprisingly, the announcement of a break to rediscover a condition that does not seem optimal today.