Sinner cruises into 2nd round of French Open

Sinner cruises into 2nd round of French Open

The Italian star beat Wimbledon quarterfinalist Christopher Eubanks 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.

Jannik Sinner reacts after scoring a point against Christopher Eubanks during their first round match at the French Open. (AP pic)
PARIS:
Second seed Jannik Sinner swatted aside Wimbledon quarterfinalist Christopher Eubanks in straight sets to reach the French Open second round on Monday.

The Italian star eased to a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 win under the new roof on Court Suzanne Lenglen as rain fell at Roland Garros.

Australian Open champion Sinner showed no signs of struggling with his fitness despite missing the recent Rome Open with a hip injury.

The Italian star struck 32 winners and broke Eubanks’ serve five times as he set up a second-round meeting with French veteran Richard Gasquet.

“I’m just happy to be back on court. I was injured, so very happy to be back here,” said Sinner.

“It’s a very special tournament for me.

“The hip is good, I’m very happy… The general shape isn’t at 100% yet so we’re trying to build every day.”

Sinner is playing only his third tournament since winning the Miami Masters in March, after losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Monte Carlo Masters semifinals and then withdrawing from the Madrid Open before his quarterfinal match.

His victory on Monday took his win-loss record for the season to 29-2.

The 22-year-old is hoping to improve on his best French Open performance — a run to the quarterfinals on his debut in 2020.

American Eubanks enjoyed a breakthrough Wimbledon last year when he was beaten by Daniil Medvedev in the last eight in five sets, but has now lost seven consecutive matches.

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