ROME — Jannik Sinner is still regaining his focus on the tennis court after his three-month doping ban.
The top-ranked player overcame a brief lapse during the first set of a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Dutch qualifier Jesper De Jong in his second match back on tour at the Italian Open on Monday.
Sinner jumped out to a 4-1 lead but then lost his serve twice as the 93rd-ranked De Jong evened the first set at 4-4.
There were poor drop shots, an inopportune double-fault and other errors from Sinner. But the Italian regained control in front of his home crowd with his powerful groundstrokes and big serve and extended his winning streak to 23 matches, dating back to October.
“I felt like I started the match very well and then I had a big drop,” Sinner said. “I tried to understand what was going on. Then fortunately I broke him on 4-all again, which then gave me the confidence to continue.”
Sinner is into the last 16 of his first tournament since he won his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January.
In February, Sinner agreed to the three-month ban in a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency that raised some questions, since it conveniently allowed him not to miss any Grand Slams and come back at his home tournament.
The Italian Open is the last big warmup before the French Open starts on May 25.
Just like in his opening win over Mariano Navone on Saturday, the fans at the Foro Italico were fully behind Sinner — Italy’s first No. 1.
Yelling “Vai Jannik” (“Go Jannik”) and singing his name, the crowd provided encouragement whenever Sinner needed it.
Sinner even got a shoutout — of sorts — from perhaps the only tennis player in Italy more famous than him: The new pope.
Sinner was asked about Pope Leo XIV, who has said he likes to play tennis and jokingly said Monday that he wouldn’t want to arrange a game with the world’s top-ranked player — ostensibly because of his name.
During a meeting between the American pontiff and reporters, journalists offered to play doubles or to organize a charity match. Leo seemed game “but we can’t invite Sinner,” he said — an apparent reference to the English meaning of Sinner’s last name.
Sinner was asked in his post-match news conference about the pope’s comment
Sinner took his time to respond and blushed as he said, “Why do you have to make things difficult for me?”
Then Sinner added: “Obviously I heard that he played as a kid. I think it’s a good thing for us tennis players to have a pope who likes this sport that we’re playing.”
And what about a possible rallying session with Leo?
“For the future we’ll see,” Sinner said. “Who knows.”
In the women’s round of 16, Coco Gauff routed Emma Raducanu 6-1, 6-2 in a matchup of former U.S. Open champions.
Peyton Stearns eliminated Naomi Osaka 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (4) after 2 hours, 41 minutes. Stearns also edged Australian Open champion Madison Keys in a third-set tiebreaker in her previous match.
Also, home favorite Jasmine Paolini beat 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.