“Felt Quite Well”: Jannik Sinner Creates History at ATP Sofia 2020

Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner made history on Friday, storming to the final of the ongoing Sofia Open.

At 19, Sinner will be the youngest Italian to feature in an ATP Tour championship clash in the Open Era.

Jannik Sinner won in straight sets against Frenchman Adrian Mannarino

Currently ranked 44, Sinner barely broke a sweat in showing Frenchman Adrian Mannarino the door. The Italian came through in straight sets against the 35th-ranked Frenchman, winning 6-3, 7-5.

Read More: After Compatriot Denis Shapovalov, Felix Auger-Aliassime Suffers an Unfortunate Loss at Sofia Open 2020

Sinner said, “It is nice to be in the final, playing one more match which, for me, is the most important.”

Sinner added, “Today I felt quite well on court and it is good to be playing my first final this year.

I am looking forward to tomorrow. (the final is scheduled at 6:30pm on Saturday)”

Saving and winning two break points: How Jannik Sinner made his first Tour final

Sinner will play 74th-ranked Vasek Pospisil of Canada in the final.

Trailing by a set, the Canadian fought back to post an emphatic win over veteran Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the semi-final. The eventual scoreline stood at 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 6-0 in Pospisil’s favour.

Sinner had the better of the exchanges against Mannarino, saving three break points on his serve and winning both that he earned.

The Italian created only two break-points in two sets but cashed in on both of them.

Sinner made good use of his powerful forehand to close out rallies.

Sinner’s forehand worked well for him

The Canadian struggled with his forehand and even erred on regulation strokes.

Sinner said, “You go on the court with one plan, trying to do the things you would like to. Then it is possible that he is going to change something.

“He was serving well. I still had to manage how to return his serve, trying to let him move a little bit.”

Sinner upset quick-footed Australian Alex De Minaur in the quarter-final. The event in Bulgaria marks his longest run in an ATP Tour event since making the semi-final of the NextGen ATP Finals last year.