World no. 1 Jannik Sinner extended his winning streak! The Italian facedTristan Schoolkate in the Australian Open second round and scored a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 victory at Rod Laver Arena. Jannik lost serve in the closing stages of the opener before raising his level and toppling the home player.
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Sinner produced more efficient numbers behind the first and second serve. He fired 42 winners and 29 unforced errors, losing serve once and pressuring his rival from the second set. Tristan struggled behind the second serve and suffered five breaks from 13 opportunities offered to world no. 1.
The Italian claimed 20 points more than his rival, building the advantage in the shortest and mid-range exchanges.
Schoolkateserved well in the opening set. He survived deuces in the ninth game and grabbed a pivotal break at 5-4 that sent him in front! They served well in the opening eight games, with a lower-ranked player following the pace of world no. 1.
The Aussie survived multiple deuces at 4-4 and landed a service winner for an important hold. Sinner lostfocus while serving to stay in the set at 4-5. Tristan stepped in and attacked, firing a forehand down the line winner for three set points.
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Jannik netted a forehand, losing serve at love and falling 6-4 behind after 46 minutes. Thus, world no. 1 dropped the first set since October 2 last year! The Italian served well in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side.
Schoolkate foughtwell but lost serve for the first time to bring world no. 1 back to the positive side. The Aussie survived multiple deuces in games three and five. Jannik made another push on the return in game seven.
He fired a forehand down the line winner for a break at love and his first advantage after 81 minutes. The Italian served for the set at 5-4 and drew the rival's mistake for a set point. The defending champion cracked a forehand down the line winner, leveling the overall score after an hour and 34 minutes.
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Sinner gained a boost and outplayed his opponent in the third set, serving well and earning three breaks. World no. 1 landed a volley winner at the net in the first game for a break. Jannik drew the rival's mistake in the third game for another break and a 3-0 advantage.
They served well in the next three games, and Tristan needed another fine hold at 1-5 to extend the set. The Italian made another push on the return. Heclaimed an entertaining point at the net to wrap up the set 6-1 and move two sets to one in front after two hours and three minutes.
Sinner provided fine holds in the fourth set and moved over the top with a single break. World no. 1 secured a break in the second game after a sharp return. He generated six break points in the fourth game, looking good to extend the advantage.
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However,Schoolkate defended them and remained within one break deficit. They served well in the remaining games, and Jannik landed a forehand drive-volley winner at 5-3 to emerge at the top and extend his winning streak.
