Jannik Sinner marked his comeback to tennis in style after serving a three-month doping suspension, advancing to the Italian Open quarterfinals with a straight-set 7-6(2) 6-3 win over clay specialist Francisco Cerundolo. Competing in his first tournament since clinching the Australian Open title in January, the top-ranked Italian looked sharp and determined, extending his unbeaten streak to 24 matches since October.
Cerundolo, ranked 18th and holding the most clay-court victories this season, proved a formidable opponent. He had previously defeated Sinner on the same court and in the same round two years ago. However, Sinner’s resilience and shot-making, especially during the critical tiebreak, underlined his form and fitness.
The Foro Italico crowd stood firmly behind their national hero, chanting “Ole Ole Ole Sin-ner Sin-ner” throughout the rain-delayed evening match. A banner reading “We are all Sinners” highlighted the emotional support from the fans. Sinner responded with a spirited performance, including an emphatic stop-volley and a crowd-rousing gesture to raise the energy further.
Though he needed a medical timeout for blisters on his right foot, Sinner broke Cerundolo soon after to gain full control in the second set. His next test will be against either Casper Ruud, fresh from winning Madrid, or Jaume Munar. The 22-year-old Sinner is now eyeing history, aiming to become the first Italian man to claim the Rome title since Adriano Panatta in 1976.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz overcame physical fatigue to grind out a tough 6-3 3-6 7-5 victory against Karen Khachanov, setting up a much-anticipated rematch with Jack Draper. Despite wearing a black brace to support a recovering leg, Alcaraz fought through exhaustion and maintained his unbeaten 5-0 record against the Russian.
Alcaraz, ranked third, had withdrawn from Madrid due to a leg issue but showcased his clay dominance again, improving to 12-1 on the surface this year. His semifinal opponent Draper previously stunned Alcaraz at Indian Wells in March, giving the Brit a 2-3 head-to-head record.
Elsewhere, Lorenzo Musetti managed to close out Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-4 after a three-hour rain delay halted match point. Musetti sealed the win with a stylish inside-out forehand winner and solidified his top 10 ATP ranking at No. 9.
In the women’s competition, Jasmine Paolini pulled off a stirring comeback against Diana Shnaider, winning 6-7(1) 6-4 6-2 to reach the semifinals. Trailing 4-0 in the second set after a rain break, Paolini turned the tide with six consecutive games and credited a quick coaching talk with doubles partner Sara Errani for sparking her revival. She is now the first Italian woman to reach the Rome semifinals since Errani’s 2014 run.
With players pushing through adversity and fans rallying in emotional support, the Italian Open continues to deliver world-class tennis and unforgettable narratives as the French Open approaches.
