Jannik Sinner defeated German Alexander Zverev in three sets 7-6 (11-9), 5-7, 7-6 in the semifinal of the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati. At the end of an intense and hard-fought match, the world number one took the victory by saving two set points in the tie-break of the first set, interrupted by the rain while the Italian was leading 3-2. Sinner thus becoming the first Italian to qualify for the Cincinnati final. He will play his fifth career Masters 1000 final, the second this year after his victory in Miami.
“It was a tough match, a very emotional match”said the Italian champion number 1 in the world at the end of the match. «We played in different conditions: sun, rain and then night. There was a lot of tension for both of us. I am very happy with my performance and happy to be in the final. I had to play with my instinct, I feel that is my strength», commented the Italian tennis player. «We had ups and downs in three hours» of the match. «I could not have played a better match than this to prepare myself», he added referring to the start of the US Open in eight days.
Sinner, who has recently suffered from a hip problem, flu and tonsillitis that forced him to miss the Olympics, also said he needs to stay in shape. “If I want to win the big matches, I need to be in better shape. Today I stayed mentally strong and I’m proud of that.”
He will face the American Frances Tiafoe. Tiafoe defeated Denmark’s Holger Rune, seeded 15, in three sets (4-6, 6-1, 7-6). The match between Sinner and Tiafoe is scheduled to start at midnight.