Flagging Sinner recovers to earn Monte Carlo quarters

Jannik Sinner lost his first set since last October at the Masters 1000 level, with the Italian struggling through anyway for a 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-3 defeat of Tomas Machac on Thursday in Monte Carlo.

Coming in to face Czech Machac, the Italian world No. 2 had won his last 36 sets at the elite Masters level – 18 victories on the trot resulting in titles at Paris, Indian Wells and Miami.

Sinner suffered a physical slump in the second set, which he lost in a tiebreaker after coming back from a double break down.

The 24-year-old stayed hazy on details but said he was struggling for energy in the second set. He brought out the doctor in the third set, but only apparently for a chat before finishing off another victory

“It can’t be the same every day,” the winner said.”I was struggling and was a bit tired. 

“I hope to recover form Friday (for a quarter-final against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime). I try to do my best in every match.

“Today I was hapy to get through somehow.”

Sinner ended with 18 winners and 26 unforced errors in his two-hour win.

“I hope to play better tennis tomorrow, but today was still very positive.”

Sinner explained vaguely: “I felt great before the match but I struggled trying to find the right energy.

“It can happen – I had to push myself through. My main priority now is to recover.”

Sinner extended his current win streak to 14 matches, last losing in Doha in mid-February; he has reached the quarter-finals in the principality for the fourth time in five appearances.