Teenager Sinner Sinks 11th Seed Goffin on French Open Debut
PARIS (Reuters) - Italian teenager Jannik Sinner upset 11th seed David Goffin in a breezy 7-5 6-0 6-3 victory on his French Open debut on Sunday to confirm his status as one of the most exciting talents in men’s tennis.
The 19-year-old, who won last year’s NextGen ATP Finals title, had won his only previous meeting against Goffin in straight sets in the second round at Rotterdam this year.
But Goffin, who reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in 2016, would have fancied his chances against the 74th-ranked Sinner who before Sunday had only one Grand Slam win under his belt - at this year’s Australian Open.
Playing the first match under the new roof of court Philippe Chatrier and the opening match of the tournament, Sinner showed he belonged on the big stage.
The Italian traded a double break of serve with his Belgian opponent at the initial stages of the match before getting the crucial third break to take the opening set.
It was all Sinner after that as his sizzling forehand started generating more power and Goffin struggled to stay in the rallies as the Italian won 11 straight games to close in on victory.
Sinner converted his second match point when his opponent sent a forehand wide and followed it with a subdued celebration, showing the same calm and composure he displayed during the two hours on court.
Goffin hit one winner more that Sinner but the 16 additional unforced errors by the Belgian made the difference.
Sinner will next meet French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi who defeated Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-4.
The 19-year-old, who won last year’s NextGen ATP Finals title, had won his only previous meeting against Goffin in straight sets in the second round at Rotterdam this year.
But Goffin, who reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in 2016, would have fancied his chances against the 74th-ranked Sinner who before Sunday had only one Grand Slam win under his belt - at this year’s Australian Open.
Playing the first match under the new roof of court Philippe Chatrier and the opening match of the tournament, Sinner showed he belonged on the big stage.
The Italian traded a double break of serve with his Belgian opponent at the initial stages of the match before getting the crucial third break to take the opening set.
It was all Sinner after that as his sizzling forehand started generating more power and Goffin struggled to stay in the rallies as the Italian won 11 straight games to close in on victory.
Sinner converted his second match point when his opponent sent a forehand wide and followed it with a subdued celebration, showing the same calm and composure he displayed during the two hours on court.
Goffin hit one winner more that Sinner but the 16 additional unforced errors by the Belgian made the difference.
Sinner will next meet French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi who defeated Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-4.