Jannik Sinner admits he didn’t feel good on the baseline despite reaching the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open.
Sinner has a tough draw in Doha, his first ATP tournament since the Australian Open, but he has now won his two matches in straight sets.
The second seed beat Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-4 in the round of 32, with Sinner then defeating Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 7-5 in the round of 16.
Sinner is earning $1.2 million for playing in Doha, where he now meets Jakub Mensik for a place in the Qatar Open semifinals.
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Jannik Sinner didn’t feel good on the baseline despite Doha win
Sinner analysed his latest display after the match, when it was noted in his press conference that he changed his stance on return in the second set and added serves and volleys into his game, as well as relying on the drop shot more often.
Responding to that claim and explaining how such a match can help build momentum, the Italian said: “Yes, obviously we try to understand what works well on this surface.
“I tried to vary my return game a bit. Today I didn’t feel very good on the baseline.
“That’s why I sometimes used the drop shot, trying to get out of the rally.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s definitely something I’m trying to improve, or intend to improve. I think we’re on the right track.
“Obviously, there’s still a lot of room for improvement, but today was a very positive day. Now let’s see what tomorrow brings.”
As per the ATP stats, it was indeed an uncharacteristically poor return game from Sinner, although he was clearly let off the hook by Popyrin time and again.
| Alexei Popyrin | Jannik Sinner | |
| 48 | Return rating | 147 |
| 9/43 (21%) | 1st serve return points won | 9/33 (27%) |
| 4/15 (27%) | 2nd serve return points won | 6/18 (33%) |
| 0/0 (0%) | Break points converted | 2/3 (67%) |
| 11 | Return games played | 10 |
Jannik Sinner aware of Carlos Alcaraz drop shot ability
Sinner will be using each match as practice given the busy schedule, but Mensik certainly won’t be an easy test.
The pair have yet to meet on the ATP Tour, and so the Italian may need some time to figure out exactly where he can hurt his Czech rival.
READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz suggests what Jannik Sinner does which he finds ‘very beautiful’
He is, however, very likely to rely on his drop shot, which has definitely improved in recent times and can only get better.
But by his own admission at the Australian Open, Sinner claims Carlos Alcaraz has the best drop shot on the ATP Tour, which is very hard to disagree with.
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The top seed at the Qatar Open, Alcaraz is also playing his first tournament since the Australian Open, and he is also into the quarterfinals.
After knocking out French duo Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Royer, the Spanish star now takes on Karen Khachanov.
Royer did manage to see the funny side despite his loss to Alcaraz, telling him at the net: “I’ll come to you and Jannik don’t worry, some day.”
Laughing, the recently crowned career Grand Slam champion replied: “I will wait for you man.”
Setting the tone on the ATP Tour in recent times, Sinner and Alcaraz have impressed John McEnroe, with another final between the two superstars on the cards in Doha.
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