Jannik Sinner is one lap further. © ANSA / MATTHEW STOCKMAN
Despite initial difficulties, Jannik Sinner moved into the second round of the US Open. His opponent Max Purcell turned out to be a bigger hurdle than expected.
31. August 2021
Author: leo
Solid is probably the most apt adjective that describes the performance of the South Tyrolean, who has just turned 20, on Tuesday. He didn’t necessarily pull the fans out of their seats on Court 10 that day, but had everything under control (almost) at all times against Max Purcell (ATP 191), who was three years older than him. Sinner won after around two and a half hours 6: 4, 6: 2, 4: 6 and 6: 2.
In the beginning, Sinner struggled in humid New York (it was 30 degrees). However, Purcell quickly ran out of Latin. Because the slice balls, which he repeatedly sprinkled, did not hurt the youngster at all, on the contrary: the slow balls helped Sinner into the game and consequently he drove the double specialist across the field. A quick break and the 5-2 lead was the result. But when Sinner served to win the set and was already 30: 0 in front, the Sextner wobbled and made three slight mistakes that resulted in the re-break. However, Purcell could not extend the sentence any further, Sinner closed the passage on the fourth attempt despite an underground service rate (only 37% of the first attempts found the field).
Second section without discussion
While Sinner had played the first movement on the back burner, this changed in the second section. He served better now, put his opponent under constant pressure in his service games and thus managed two breaks. Because almost nothing was burned in their own service games, Sinner won the sentence 6: 2.
Unfortunately, things did not continue in this pace in the third round: As in the early stages, Sinner did not serve enough first and thereby favored the game of Purcell, who now hit the net at every opportunity. There he played all his double qualities and came to a break. In addition to the better playing opponent, the world number 16 had. Now another problem: After a lunge, he kept holding his thigh and moving increasingly poorly. Nevertheless, he fended off three breakballs in the seventh game. But that was not enough to turn the set in his favor – 6: 4 for Purcell.
Max Purcell played an excellent match. © APA / getty / MATTHEW STOCKMAN
Sinner then took a break, won a contested game at the beginning of the fourth section and then benefited from three double mistakes by his opponent. Sinner, who moved more smoothly again as the game continued, gratefully accepted the given break. He moved to 5: 2 – and made everything clear with Purcell’s serve with one of the many cracking winners (49 in total). Afterwards, the South Tyrolean was clearly relieved, as he celebrated his first victory at the US Open.
Waiting for the next opponent
In the second round, Sinner will meet either the Italian Marco Cecchinato (ATP 81) or the American Zachary Svajda.
Immediately after Sinner’s victory, Andreas Seppi, the second South Tyrolean, moved into the next round in New York. He landed a surprising and at the same time memorable five-set victory.
