Sensational Sinner the Sofia winner
The Italian won the first ATP title of his young career at the Sofia Open, beating Vasek Pospisil in a tight three-set encounter.
Jannik Sinner
ATP Sofia Open, final
Sinner d. Pospisil, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3)
- Key info: Sinner wins the first ATP title of his career.
- You will also learn: How it was third time unlucky for Pospisil.
- Why read this story: It has been a breakthrough year for the young Italian.
Jannik Sinner won the first ATP title of his young career at the Sofia Open, beating Vasek Pospisil 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3) in Sunday’s final.
The Canadian was also chasing his first-ever ATP crown — but this defeat sends him to 0-3 lifetime in ATP championship matches. He pushed the 19-year-old all the way, though, coming back from a set down to force a decider and eventually a third-set tiebreaker.
🏆 Maiden title! @janniksin is the Champion at the #Sofia Open!
First player born in 2001 to win a #ATP title and youngest italian player ever!
Go Jannik! #Sinner #NextGenATP | #SeeTheFuture pic.twitter.com/ZOcKcyLaPe
— Next Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) November 14, 2020
In the end it was Sinner came through, making him the youngest Italian tour-level champion of the Open Era — and the youngest player overall to win an ATP title since Kei Nishikori triumphed at Delray Beach as an 18-year-old back in 2008.
Big hitting by Sinner
Sinner started off much the better of the two, serving up four aces en route to claiming the first set. But despite a break of serve in the first game of the second set, he could not maintain that level — throwing in plenty of errors for Pospisil to capitalise on.
And it was his backhand that helped him to the trophy, hitting it brilliantly during the decisive tiebreaker and leaving his opponent wrong-footed.
“It is always special when you win tournaments,” Sinner said. “I felt well this week. It is special. Playing finals like this, 7-6 in the third…is always tough. But when you win, it is an even better win than winning 6-1 6-1…. I am happy about the match, how I tried to stay there every point.
“It is a great feeling ending the year with a tournament win. Now I think the hard work is going to start once more…. I hope I am going to start even better next year than I did this year.”
