Sinner extends winning streak, beat Monfils to reach quarter-finals in Rotterdam

Sinner defeated Monfils to extend his stay at the Rotherdam Ahoy.

Jannik Sinner’s impressive start to the season continued on Thursday after holding off the challenge of two-time champion Gael Monfils at Rotterdam.

The 22-year-old Italian ended Monfils’ 11-match winning streak at the indoor ATP 500 with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 triumph, but only after an absorbing second-round clash in the final match of the day at Rotterdam Ahoy. Monfils outhit Sinner by 21 to 13, but top seed Sinner rode an early break in the deciding set to a one-hour, 53-minute victory.

“It was one shaky game of mine in the second set and things changed so fast,” said Sinner after the match. “I still believe that these kinds of matches, they help you a lot, especially on the mental part. When you don’t play your best tennis and you still try somehow to find the way to win.

“Against him, it is never easy, I have the feeling we know each other a little bit better now, and he changed some things, as I do, and today went my way.”

Sinner, who began the season by winning the Australian Open last month, finished the match having won 76% (37/49) of points behind his first delivery, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

“I think he is an incredible showman,” said Sinner about the 37-year-old Monfils. “All the crowd and the people, they love him. I think that’s what this sport needs. I wish that he will keep going as long as possible and hopefully I can share the court with him as many times as possible, because he is such an amazing player.”

Sinner, who is now on a 12-game winning run will take on the former No. 3 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Milos Raonic, in the quarterfinals. It will be a first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting between the two.

“It doesn’t really matter how I feel on court, it’s going to be a very tough match tomorrow.” “I had the chance to practise a couple of times with him when I was younger, so it’s going to be tough, but I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s going to be a new challenge and I’m going to try to be as ready as I can. Hopefully it’s going to be a good match, even if there won’t be so much rhythm.”