‘Both are very difficult’ – Sinner compares winning ‘Sunshine Double’ to Grand Slams
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Jannik Sinner cruised into the round of 16 at the Monte Carlo Masters with a 6-3 6-0 victory over world No. 34 Ugo Humbert.It was an impressive start to the clay swing for Sinner, who can replace Carlos Alcaraz as world No. 1 if he wins a first Monte Carlo Masters.Sinner is in ominous form as the French Open – shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max – draws nearer.Back-to-back tournament victories saw him win the ‘Sunshine Double’ of Indian Wells and the Miami Open, and he picked up where he left off against Humbert.
”It was a good performance from my side,” Sinner said. ”You have to change your game style a little bit, how you approach certain situations. The first tournament [on clay] is never easy.
“I come here with good feelings but at the same time not many expectations.”
Highlights: Sinner overcomes Medvedev to win maiden Indian Wells title
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Sinner took just 64 minutes to win his first match on clay since his French Open final defeat to Alcaraz last year.
It was an emphatic victory for the Italian, whose opponent managed to win just six points in a one-sided second set.
The first set was more competitive, but Sinner broke Humbert’s serve in the fifth game and there was no way back for the Frenchman.
Sinner, who is now on a run of 18 straight wins in Masters 1000 events, will face either Francisco Cerundolo or Tomas Machac in the next round.
Alcaraz ‘surprised’ by level of performance in win over Baez
Alcaraz admitted he expected to “play a little bit worse” in his opening match against Sebastian Baez in Monte Carlo.
The defending champion was superior throughout his 6-1 6-3 win over the Argentine, who was beaten in 70 minutes.
Alcaraz has established himself as clay’s standout player, with a record of 22-1 on the surface last season.
He will hope for more success this year, particularly with Sinner threatening to take his place at the top of the ATP rankings.
”It’s been a really good start to the tournament for me,” Alcaraz said.
”To be honest, I surprised myself with the level. I thought I was going to play a little bit worse, I would say, but I’m just happy with everything I’ve done today.
“Maybe a couple of things I didn’t do well in the second set. I let him get into the match, but overall, I’m just happy to play matches again on clay.”
Alcaraz insisted he is relaxed about the rankings, adding: ”I’m going to lose No. 1 in the world [at some point]. I don’t know if it is going to be at this tournament or [another] one.
”I’m defending a bunch of points that are going to be really difficult to defend. Even if I defend them, Jannik is going to add some points.
“I will just try to play my best and let’s see what happens, but for me the No. 1 spot is not in my mind right now. I’m just trying to feel the best way on clay courts and let’s see how the clay swing goes.”
The Spaniard will face either Tomas Martin Etcheverry or Terence Atmane in the next round in Monte Carlo.
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