On Tuesday, Jannik Sinner trounced Learner Tien in straight sets (6-2, 6-2) to win his second straight China Open title. Despite his big win, Sinner was pretty impressed by the fight the 19-year-old American put up. “You’ve shown throughout the whole season what a talent you are. Keep going. You’re playing incredible tennis. I wish you all the best for the rest of the season and obviously for your whole career,” the 4-time Grand Slam winner didn’t hesitate to throw laurels at his younger opponent. However, members of the Italian star’s team think Tien could become a problem in the coming days.

Simone Vagnozzi and Jannik Sinner began working together in 2022, focusing on the latter’s day-to-day training. Over three years, the coach has come to experience firsthand what an unstoppable force the 24-year-old is. And yet, looking at how Tien is rising through the ranks at a stellar pace, Vagnozzi believes Team Sinner should prepare for tougher days ahead.

Talking to Corriere dello Sport recently, Jannik’s coach spoke his mind about the stars who he believes have the potential to become a possible threat in the future. On being asked who Vagnozzi identifies as a botheration in the making, he said without deliberation, “There are many who have the potential, Tien has it too.” Well, the feeling isn’t too misplaced, given that Learner showed a lot of grit in all four majors tournaments this year. While he is yet to reach a Grand Slam final as a senior, the American ATP star reached the quarterfinal stage and beyond in all four Slams as a junior in 2023.

Obviously, given how the tennis rankings are constantly in flux and how Sinner himself blitzed into the scene as a rising star, his coach cannot help but prepare for the worst. However, Tien wasn’t the only star whom Vagnozzi mentioned as a fast-and-coming athlete to keep an eye on. “There is Fonseca, although I really like Mensik. If he doesn’t have physical problems, he is someone who can grow a lot,” Jannik’s coach also named the Brazilian and the Czechian stars who have it in them to make the former fight for his money’s worth.

But hey, Sinner is currently among the top two stars in the world. His rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz is what defines today’s tennis scene to millions of fans around the world, and Vagnozzi knows reaching their level isn’t something anyone could achieve. “Let’s think about Jannik: now everyone makes his victories look normal…The boys are there, but then they have to take important steps to get to Jannik and Carlos,” Simone said, underscoring how consistent improvement has made both Jannik and the Spaniard excel.

That improvement didn’t happen on its own, no. Instead, Sinner had to toil and sacrifice his blood and sweat to make sure he climbed the ranks and held onto his throne. While many of his peers wailed about the tournaments being stacked too closely, Jannik kept his eyes on the goal and made it clear that his priority will always be to get better with every match.

Now, as the Shanghai Masters approach, Sinner will once again hope to reclaim the top ATP spot from his 6x Grand Slam-winning arch-nemesis.

Jannik Sinner could subdue Tien yet again

At the US Open final in September, Sinner lost to Alcaraz in four sets. With that defeat, the Italian also had to cede his No. 1 spot to Carlos, a result the former obviously didn’t enjoy. Obviously, now that Alcaraz has decided to sit out the Shanghai Masters, Jannik will definitely try to make the most of the situation and reclaim his high throne. However, his health has been a major point of concern among the fans, whose eagle eyes didn’t miss the fact that Sinner didn’t look his usual self at the China Open.

After his second-straight win at the ATP 500 competition, the Italian shed light on the matter. “I had diarrhoea for the past few days and lost some fluid, but I feel fine. I also had a bit of tension. The mix of tension and the past few days wasn’t easy, but yes, I feel fine,” he assured his followers, underscoring that he would bring his absolute best to the table for the Shanghai Masters.

But will Tien be able to face the fury that is Jannik Sinner once again in China? Or will it again be a one-sided affair like the China Open was? Share your predictions in a comment!