Australian Open, Sinner struggles but tames Australian Schoolkate

With a lot of effort, certainly more than expected, Jannik Sinner wins 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 the resistance of the number 173 in the world Tristan Schoolkate, the home favourite even more so after Nick Kyrgios' elimination in the first round. Schoolkate still takes home a small trophy, because by winning the first set 6-4 (with the first break in the tenth game, to love) he snatches the first set to Sinner after 102 days, because Jannik had also been undefeated in sets since October.

Jannik Sinner

Considering the balance of power and ranking on the court, many expected the music to change in the second set and Sinner to immediately regain control of the game, in reality the Australian held firm until the end of the second set, with his game based a lot on the power of the serve that put the champion from Alto Adige in difficulty a bit. Schoolkate certainly also took advantage of the fact that he was not a very well-known opponent, given that there were no precedents between the two, but the match from which the world number one came out with the usual tenacity and strength first of all mentally also shows another thing, that is, that since he became the strongest player in the world, Sinner has to deal with the fact that his opponents face him on the one hand with a clear mind, having nothing to lose, and on the other with doubled motivation because facing the number one is still an important moment in the career of any tennis player, especially those who are in lower positions in the ranking. It took a lot of resistance to wait for the wave favorable to the Australian to pass, but in the end Sinner managed to decipher his opponent and impose his game, thanks to a service that has grown over time. When the first serve comes in, the percentage of points for the Italian is always very high. With this victory, the path continues in the 'defense' of points in the standings. As is known, Sinner will remain number one even after the Australian Open, however it ends, but each round passed reduces the number of points that Jannik will lose in his ranking, having won the last edition of the Slam.

"It was a difficult match, but here they all are - Sinner said at the end -, in a tournament like this you can face opponents who play well, it's important to stay cool. Playing here is always nice, I had some problems with the wind but the other courts are more exposed and the conditions are like these, we know them. The first defense of a Slam title? It's a different feeling but I've experienced so many beautiful moments off the court in this fantastic place. I have the opportunity to relive the emotions of last year but there's still a long way to go, I know that my level can be higher than today”. A joke about his Italianness in the post-match interview, when he was asked why he was so cold and different from many Italians: “Yes, we are a little different. Everyone has their own mentality, I am happy with my way of being but maybe it is better to stop here”, he said, closing with a laugh. 

With this victory Sinner advances to the third round of the Australian Open where will meet the American Marcos Giron, 31 years old, currently ranked 46, who beat Uruguayan Etcheverry in the previous round. The match is scheduled for Saturday, January 18, time yet to be defined.