Sinner navigates tension to claim Paris quarterfinal spot
Jannik Sinner grinds through a cautious opener and physical whispers to overpower Francisco Cerundolo at the Paris Masters, preserving his charge toward world No. 1 while eyeing a pivotal test against Ben Shelton.
Under the swift indoor hard courts of the Paris Masters, Jannik Sinner edged Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals for the first time, a milestone that sustains his push to reclaim the top PIF ATP Rankings position. The second seed showed restraint in his movement between points during the opening set, flexing his right leg occasionally, yet completed the 86-minute encounter without a medical timeout. His efficiency stood out with 12 winners against only two unforced errors in that frame, building pressure that eventually broke through.
“I was up twice with the break in the first set and I could not convert,” Sinner said. “I put myself in not an easy situation, but I am happy with how I ended the match and I felt much better. Hopefully, it will give me the confidence to start off in a good way tomorrow. Hopefully, I can recover physically, which is my main priority. Today was a great match and a great performance from my side.”
Cautious exchanges build to decisive break
The first set tested Sinner’s patience as he secured two break points early but failed to capitalize, allowing Cerundolo to hold firm with steady baseline play and sharp down-the-line replies. Sinner responded by sharpening his returns, forcing longer rallies that exposed the Argentine’s backhand under the low-bouncing conditions. At 5-5, a deep crosscourt forehand return finally cracked the serve, propelling him to the set and shifting the match’s tempo toward his strengths.
Entering the second set, Sinner seized control in a drawn-out 10-minute game, converting his second break point with a flat forehand winner that landed inches inside the line. From there, his one–two combinations of serve and aggressive forehand follow-ups overwhelmed Cerundolo, who struggled to generate pace against the Italian’s flat trajectory. The crowd’s energy swelled with each hold, underscoring Sinner’s growing command on a surface where his indoor affinity has yielded 23 straight victories.
Historic reach fuels year-end ambitions
This triumph marks Sinner as the first Italian to advance to quarterfinals at all nine ATP Masters 1000 events, adding to his haul of titles in Miami, Canada, Cincinnati, and Shanghai. At 24, he now leads Cerundolo 4-2 in their head-to-head, a record bolstered by his comfort in enclosed arenas that amplify his precise, penetrating groundstrokes. Carlos Alcaraz‘s early departure from Paris opens the door wider; a title run here would return Sinner to No. 1 next Monday, rewarding a season of calculated risks and physical management.
Physical recovery takes precedence as he eyes Friday’s matchup, where mixing inside-out forehands with slice approaches could disrupt opponents’ footing on these quick courts. The stakes extend beyond rankings, intertwining with preparations for the Nitto ATP Finals, where consistency under lights will define his legacy. Each point in Paris carries the weight of that broader narrative, turning routine holds into steps toward dominance.
Shelton duel spotlights power versus precision
Awaiting him is Ben Shelton, who dispatched Andrey Rublev 7-6(6), 6-3 to advance, his left-handed serve booming through the indoor chill to secure key points in the tiebreak. The American’s sole victory over Sinner dates to Shanghai in 2023, followed by six losses without dropping a set, highlighting the Italian’s edge in rally construction and return depth. Shelton will aim to vary his kick serves to the body, forcing Sinner into less familiar inside-in patterns, while the second seed can counter with crosscourt backhands to stretch the court.
Their shared path to the Nitto ATP Finals adds layers, as this quarterfinal previews potential year-end clashes amid the Race to Turin. Sinner’s indoor streak positions him to exploit any lapses in Shelton’s net play, using underspin slices to neutralize aggressive volleys. As the draw tightens, tactical adjustments like deeper returns could tip the balance, keeping Sinner’s momentum alive.
In parallel action, Daniil Medvedev fought back for a 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 win over Lorenzo Sonego, clinging to his Nitto ATP Finals hopes from 13th in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin. The 29-year-old requires a Paris crown to qualify, building on his first title in 882 days at Almaty and recent semifinals in Beijing and Shanghai. Medvedev’s resilience shone in the second-set tiebreak, where flat backhands turned defense into opportunity against Sonego’s forehand pressure.
Reaching his 25th Masters 1000 quarterfinal, he faces Alexander Zverev or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina next, a matchup where counterpunching on the fast surface could extend his resurgence. The tournament’s rhythm pulses with these high-wire acts, Sinner’s steady progress mirroring Medvedev’s grit as both chase redemption in the season’s final surge. Friday’s lights will illuminate not just strokes, but the unyielding drive propelling them forward.
