Sinner returns to winner’s circle by winning seventh singles title in Montpellier
The Italian beats Maxime Cressy 7-6, 6-3, in one hour and 37 minutes to become the first Italian champion in the tournament’s history
Jannik Sinner with the Open Sud de France title in Montpellier in February 2023
Image Credit: JB Autissier / Panoramic
19-year-olds Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune may have grabbed much of the spotlight over the past six months on the men’s tour. But 21-year-old Jannik Sinner served up notice that he is still among the game’s biggest young talents as he captured his seventh ATP singles title on Sunday.
Sinner, who has been as high as No 9 in the world but came into this week ranked 17th, defeated the American serve-and-volley specialist Maxime Cressy 7-6, 6-3 in one hour and 37 minutes to win the Open Sud de France in Montpellier, France.
The Italian improved to 7-1 in career singles finals (By comparison Alcaraz is 6-2 and Rune is 3-2) with the win.
The final saw only one break of serve in the entire match – Sinner breaking in the eighth game on his fourth break point of the evening. The Italian saved all the three break points on his own serve.
The win sees Sinner, who is the first Italian champion in the tournament’s history, move up to No 14 in the world rankings as he heads to Rotterdam, where he is drawn to play Benjamin Bonzo in the first round and possible top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round.
The Italian also becomes the first player to win a tour-level event without losing a set in 2023 and first since Lorenzo Musetti did the same at Naples in 2022.
“I’m very happy, it was not an easy week. Today it was tough because he was serving very well so I’m very happy about my performance. I had to be 100% focus on my game. I felt I did some good returns and good passing shots today at some point. It was important to make him play.”
“I like to play important matches. I like when the crowd is there. I had a good preparation before the final and I gave 100% today, trying to play my best tennis.”
