Jannik Sinner revealed the shot he’s made a point of improving after eking past Nicolas Jarry in the first-round of the China Open.
Defending Beijing champion Jannik Sinner opened his campaign with a nervous performance against former ATP number 16, Nicolas Jarry.
The Chilean was on song in the opening set, firing down five aces and decisively breaking the Italian to hint at a potential upset.
Sinner however upped the stakes and conceded just four games in the following two sets to wash away the prospect of an early defeat.
Moving to 12 wins in a row, the top seed is set to face either Swiss veteran Stanislas Wawrinka or Roman Safiullin in the next round.
Jannik Sinner says which shot he’s been working hard to improve after the US Open
Having smartly moved to his 56th win of the year, Sinner has remained grounded this year despite winning his first two major titles.
Insistent that the work is only just beginning, he was dealt a nervous blow when news of this escaped drugs ban came to light a week before the US Open.
Maintaining remarkable focus for two weeks in New York, Sinner crushed American dreams and beat Taylor Fritz in a one-sided final.
After his win today, Sinner shared the shot he was working on most after the US Open. “The first-serve was good, the second I have to improve a little,” the defending champion admitted to the ATP.
“He was returning aggressively, so it is not easy. From after US Open we tried to work very hard, change a few things but happy with my process.”
Sinner won 70% of his points on second serve, losing six out of 20. His opponent Jarry had far less luck, winning just five of his 25.
Can Jannik Sinner win the China Open?
With just five defeats all year, Sinner has performed superbly on the hard-courts this year, securing the title in Cincinnati before the US Open.
Having won the Miami Open earlier this year before the start of the clay-court season, Sinner has picked up six titles this year and will be looking to make it seven.
Beating Daniil Medvedev in the final last year, the third-seeded Russian could force a rematch this year.
With Carlos Alcaraz also in the draw, the pair are expected to meet in the final, with the Spaniard thriving after a successful Laver Cup.
After his waltz to the US Open title however, you’d be silly to bet against the world number one.
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