Can Jannik Sinner Improve After His Fastest Win at the Cincinnati Open?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Sinner's Fastest Win: Achieved in 59 minutes
- Strong Performance: 13 of 14 first serves won
- History on the Line: Aiming for back-to-back titles in Cincinnati
- Power Meets Finesse: Showcased skill with a disguised drop shot
- Unbeaten Streak: 38-0 against players outside Top 50
Cincinnati, Aug 10 (NationPress) Jannik Sinner made an impressive comeback to the ATP Tour, overpowering Daniel Elahi Galan with a score of 6-1, 6-1 in a swift 59 minutes, kicking off his title defense at the Cincinnati Open.
This marked the world No. 1’s fastest win of the season and a powerful statement after his recent triumph at Wimbledon.
“Matches never feel the same as practice, so I wasn’t sure what to anticipate,” Sinner expressed, noting his 3-0 lead over Galan in their Lexus ATP Head2Head. “But I’m extremely pleased. The ball travels quickly here—you must serve accurately and with good velocity.”
Despite wearing a sleeve on his right arm due to an injury sustained during Wimbledon, the 23-year-old Italian exhibited no signs of pain. He dominated from the baseline, winning 13 of 14 first serve points in the initial set and achieving seven winners against just five unforced errors, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
During the second set, Sinner showcased a mix of power and finesse, thrilling the Cincinnati audience with a cleverly disguised drop shot in the third game before clinching the match with precision. “I served exactly where I intended today,” he remarked. “There’s still room for improvement, but I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
With a record of 38-0 against players ranked outside the Top 50 since last year’s event, Sinner has now extended his hard-court winning streak to 22 matches—a streak that includes championships at the US Open, Nitto ATP Finals, and Australian Open.
As Carlos Alcaraz leads the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, Sinner is not just pursuing another Masters 1000 title, but also the coveted year-end No. 1 ranking. Successfully defending his title in Cincinnati would place him in an elite group—no man has achieved this feat since Roger Federer in 2014-15.