Explosive Sinner draw in Antwerp – tennis

Jannik Sinner is facing the next task. © APA / getty / CLIVE BRUNSKILL

The knockout loss at the Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells is ticked off. Jannik Sinner’s eyes are already on the next tournament, which will take place in Antwerp. Andreas Seppi is also registered in Belgium.

October 16, 2021

Author: leo

For the last time this season, Jannik Sinner flew back to Europe from the United States. The upcoming tournaments of the year will all be held on the local continent. One of them is the European Open, which starts in Antwerp on Monday. Sinner is number 1 in the ATP 250 tournament, which was launched in 2016 – and, given the circumstances, the top favorite. In Belgium they play on hard courts and indoors.

The European Open arouse positive memories in the 20-year-old, as he reached his first ATP semifinals in the same place in 2019. At that time he failed because of Stan Wawrinka, but finally presented himself to the general public. This year, the Sesto wants to land the big hit and thus keep his chances of participating in the ATP finals alive. Because Sinner’s direct competitors, Hubert Hurkacz and Casper Ruud, won’t play next week, he can make up valuable points.

Domestic duel

The youngster enjoys a bye at the start, but there could be a real hit in the second round: Sinner will meet either Gianluca Mager (ATP 73) or Lorenzo Musetti (ATP 62), who duel in the Italian derby. Above all, a possible duel with Musetti would be very explosive, especially since they represent the new, up-and-coming generation of tennis in Italy. Andreas Seppi, who is fighting to stay in the top 100, has to go through the qualification. The veteran starts with the local hero Gauthier Onclin (ATP 524). The match takes place on Sunday at 12 noon.