Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: World No. 1 Jannik Sinner stormed into the second round of the French Open crushing French player Clement Tabur 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 in Paris on May 26.
Sinner’s opening win on the terre battue put him on a short list of men to collect 30 consecutive matches or more this century, alongside Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
For Sinner, the return to the French Open carried deeper significance than a routine first-round assignment. 12 months ago, he endured one of the most painful defeats of his career on the same courts after letting three championship points slip away against Carlos Alcaraz in the final. But if there were lingering scars, they were impossible to detect in his composed and clinical performance against Tabur.
“I’m very happy to be back here,” Sinner said in his on-court interview. “It’s a very special place and I have great memories overall. First-round matches are never easy, but it’s even more special to start the tournament during a night session, so thank you all for staying out.”
The 24-year-old controlled proceedings from the baseline throughout the evening, combining relentless depth with explosive shot-making. He hammered 40 winners across three sets and did not face a single break point, underlining the authority with which he dictated play.
One of the standout moments came midway through the third set when Sinner turned defence into attack with breathtaking ease, first flicking a forehand squash shot from deep behind the baseline before gliding into a sliding backhand winner moments later. The sequence drew a roar from the Paris crowd and served as another reminder of the complete all-court package he now possesses.
