Jannik Sinner continued his impressive Grand Slam winning streak after beating Arthur Rinderknech in his first round match at the French Open.
Sinner returned to tennis at the Italian Open, with the world number one reaching the final before losing to Carlos Alcaraz.
As a result of his impressive comeback, Sinner is one of the French Open favourites alongside his aforementioned rival.
Andre Agassi has recently praised Jannik Sinner’s game, and now another former world number one in Mats Wilander has had his say on the Italian’s first round victory.
Mats Wilander rates Jannik Sinner’s level in his first round win at the French Open
Sinner beat Frenchman Rinderknech, 6-4 6-3 7-5, in his first round win on Court Philippe-Chatrier this year.
Despite the straight sets scoreline, Sinner had to dig deep in particular in the third set after finding himself 0-4 down.
When discussing his performance in Paris, former three-time French Open champion Wilander has claimed that Sinner was already playing better than he did in Rome.
“Good impressions,” Wilander said on TNT Sports. “I already saw him play a couple of matches at the Italian Open and he looked good there. He looks great here.
“I think it was important for him to come back in that third set because he was under a little bit of pressure. You do not want to go four unless you have to.
“So he is a great number one for our sport. He is a nice guy. He is energetic on the court. He plays more and more aggressive every time I see him play and he throws in a drop shot and the attitude is brilliant. I think it’s a perfect start.”
Mats Wilander explains why it is good for Jannik Sinner to be challenged
Sinner had to win five consecutive games to claim a straight sets victory over Rinderknech, but Wilander has suggested that this may not be a bad thing going forward.
The seven-time major winner particularly highlighted a potential final with Alcaraz, explaining that these tests could help Sinner against the player he has lost four consecutive matches against.
“I think so. Speaking from experience, winning a first round which is pretty close is the perfect preparation compared to if you win it easily because you don’t know where you are,” explained Wilander. “He knows where he is now.
“We know where he is, which is the best player in the world and with each match that he wins he is going to get closer and closer to being the favourite together with Carlos Alcaraz.”
Sinner will now play another home favourite in Richard Gasquet, who will be retiring from tennis after this year’s French Open.
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