Sinner ousts de Minaur in marquee Next Gen matchup

ATP Sofia Open, quarter-final

SINNER d. DE MINAUR 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-1

• Key info: Jannik Sinner dropped a close first set, but seized opportunities in second and third to book a semi-final spot in Sofia.
• You will also learn: Young Italian to face seasoned French lefty Adrian Mannarino next.
• Why read this story: This is genuinely one of the best matchups there is with Next Gen players, possibly one tennis fans could see in the highest level in the near future.

Jannik Sinner continued his successful 2020 season in his final tournament of the year, as he took down fellow young gun Alex de Minaur in Sofia in a comeback win, 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-1 that saw him recover from a disappointing tiebreak.

The first set was off to a riveting start that lived up to the expectation on two of the best up-and-comers. After two holds, de Minaur and Sinner both had to dig deep and exchanged breaks early on. It took the duo three break points each to crack the opponent. After that, Sinner had an opportunity to break up 3-2, but that was ultimately saved as the set went into a tiebreak.

It was the Australian who struck first in the tiebreak, breaking to go up 3-1. However, the reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champ struck back right before the break to tie it up 3-3. It was all de Minaur after that, though, as he racked up four straight points with two mini-breaks to secure the first set.

Mounting a comeback

Sinner delivers 👊

🇮🇹 @janniksin comes from a set down to beat De Minaur at @sofiaopentennis!

🎥: @TennisTV pic.twitter.com/QYGyRQxDAX

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 12, 2020

More of the same followed to start the second, but Sinner struck first this time round to go up 4-3. The 19-year-old then consolidated the break by staving off two break points, and saved two more as he served for the set.

Sinner came out all guns blazing in the decider, going two-for-two on break points early on and jumping out to a 4-0 lead with a double-break. He tagged on another break to round out the 6-1 third set.

The Italian will face Adrian Mannarino next, as the Frenchman also took three sets to knock off Moldovan Radu Albot 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.

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