Jannik Sinner admits what he is struggling with right now despite beating Marin Cilic in Beijing

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Jannik Sinner began his China Open campaign with a tricky test against a former Grand Slam champion.

In his first match since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open final, Sinner met the big-serving Croat, Marin Cilic.

The world number two was excellent in Beijing, producing a clinical display to beat Cilic in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.

Italy’s Sinner faced just the one break point en route to victory as he booked his place in the second round of the China Open, where he will play qualifier Terence Atmane.

Things might not have been as easy as they seemed, however, as Sinner admitted after the match that he is currently having difficulties with one area of his game.

Jannik Sinner says he is ‘a bit slow’ to hit the first shot after making changes to his serve

After losing the US Open final, Sinner said he plans to make changes to his game in a bid to compete with his Spanish rival.

His serve was a real point of interest, having struggled with the shot throughout his four-set defeat on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Asked whether he was thinking about those changes during his first-round win in China, Sinner had this to say.

“I’m thinking a lot, especially with the serve at the moment,” he said.

“Sometimes I’m a bit slow to hit the first shot, but I’m hoping that it’s getting as automatic as possible.”

Sinner’s serve was much better in China, as he shared his appreciation for his team, who allowed him to work on things.

“I always say 90% is trying to keep doing what I’m doing, and 10% is trying to mix it up, thinking a lot at the moment, but again, every player is doing this,” he said.

“I’m happy that I can work on things, I’m happy that I have a great team around me that understands this, so we keep pushing.”

Sinner then shared how he prepares for tournaments so effectively, having not lost a first-round match in two years.

“I don’t know, it’s a good question, obviously you try to put a lot of concentration, especially in the first round matches, because I know that many things can go wrong,” he said.

“After, you usually find your rhythm, your pace, the speed of the court, much better.

“I tried to prepare myself in the best possible way. I came here quite early, also, to feel the conditions.”

Overall, the Italian was delighted with his performance, dropping just four games against the 2014 US Open champion.

“I feel like today was a great performance,” said Sinner.

“Marin [Cilic] is a very tough player to play against, his peak is very high, so I managed to break him quite early in both sets, which gave me the confidence to keep going.”

Cilic gave it his all against Sinner, but failed to make much of an impression on the world number two.

Naomi Broady expects 36-year-old Marin Cilic to return in 2026 despite tough run of form

Speaking on commentary for Sky Sports, former British star Naomi Broady shared her thoughts on Cilic’s defeat to Sinner.

“Tough one for [Marin] Cilic, still played so well, but it almost doesn’t matter when you’re playing against Sinner, not in the form he’s found in the last couple of years,” she said.

“Still yet to find a win since his fourth-round run at Wimbledon.”

The Croat has now lost three matches in a row since making a surprise fourth-round appearance at SW19.

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Hearing her co-commentator Jonathan Overrend suggest Cilic still looks capable of returning in 2026, Broady agreed.

“Absolutely, why not when you’re hitting the ball like that?” she said.

“36 years young!”

She proceeded to highlight what made the difference for Sinner against Cilic in their China Open clash.

“It was one-way traffic, more winners than unforced errors from the Italian. Far too many unforced errors for Cilic, but you’re just forced into it, trying to find the space past Sinner, trying to somehow put him under pressure,” said Broady.

“Just solid across the board for the serving [for Sinner]. For Cilic, that was where his problems lay, so difficult when you’re not finding your best shot, missing the opportunity to put your opponent under pressure from the get-go.

“He had ten break point chances, Sinner, took four of them, and that was enough.

“Just an hour and 21 minutes, he’s through.”

Sinner will now rest up ahead of his second-round match against Atmane on Saturday, September 27, while Cilic makes the trip east for the upcoming Shanghai Masters.