Sinner equals his best result at Roland Garros | ATP Tour

Roland Garros

Sinner equals his best result at Roland Garros

His next rival will be Grigor Dimitrov

June 02, 2024

Jannik Sinner has had to wait four years to reach the quarterfinals at Roland Garros again. This Sunday he made his return to this stage thanks to defeating Corentin Moutet 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, the last Frenchman still alive in the singles draw in Paris.

Sinner reached the quarterfinals in his debut of this event in 2020, becoming the first to do so since Rafael Nadal in 2005. In fact, it was the first time he reached this stage at the Grand Slam level. However, it was not easy for the Italian to back up that performance four years ago in which he fell to Nadal. In the next two editions he said goodbye in the round of 16, and in 2023 he was surprised in the second round.

The current level of No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings has allowed him to return to the round of the last eight in Paris. There’s a reason he came into this Sunday’s duel having won all nine sets played along the way, and without losing more than four games per set. Although he gave up the initial round against Moutet, this Sunday his great presence was confirmed.

It is true that the Frenchman was at one set and broke up (he broke in the opening game of the second set), but Sinner prevented him from confirming the break and from then on he stabilized with the serve to the point that he did not suffer breaks again. His reaction was immediate and devastating to Moutet’s hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals in Grand Slams for the first time.

“It was very hard for me. I think he played very, very well in the first set,” Sinner said in his on-court interview. “I had some opportunities, but he played much better than me, so I had to adapt a little bit. He had an incredible run here at Roland Garros. The atmosphere, as always, was incredible.”

“He plays differently than most of my opponents, so it was difficult for me. Plus, he’s left-handed. He doesn’t get played that many times against lefties, so I’m happy to be in the next round.”

This result, which places him in the Grand Slam quarterfinals for the seventh time, increases his hope of appearing next Monday, June 10, at No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Qualifying for the final in this competition for the first time in his career would make him the first Italian in history to rise to the top, regardless of what current No. 1 Novak Djokovic does this fortnight.

Sinner will also be No. 1 if he loses in the next round and ‘Nole’ does not advance to the final, or if he falls in the semifinals and the Serbian does not win the title. For now, the 22-year-old right-hander will clash with Grigor Dimitrov, a debutant in the quarterfinals of the tournament and with whom he has a 3-1 record.

Did you know…?
Jannik Sinner this Sunday became the Italian with the most qualifications to the Grand Slam quarterfinals in the Open Era, with seven in total. He surpasses his compatriots Matteo Berrettini (6) and Adriano Panatta (6).