Jannik Sinner, a 19-year-old beardless Italian, starred in a bombshell on the Pietrangeli Track which confirms its quality by eliminating Stefanos Tsitsipas, third favorite and possible semifinalist on Nadal's side, 6-1, 6-7 (9) and 6-2.
The Greek, 6th in the world, was erratic with his serve, and daunted by the powerful blows of Sinner, who is now 81st in the ATP and points to star. He proclaimed it last year by winning the NextGen Finals (the Promises Masters) against a consolidated Alex de Miñaur. In 2019, the redhead started 549th and finished 95th (the youngest among the top 300).
Sinner, like Djokovic, skied at a good level until he was 12 years old, which is reflected in his elasticity, balance and way of sliding on the track. In the hands of the renowned coach Ricardo Piatti, it now makes Italy dream of finding a new champion.