By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday May 2, 2022
Jannik Sinner is redefining what it means to be clutch on a tennis court in 2022.
The Italian did his best Houdini impression once again on Monday in Madrid, saving three match points to defeat Tommy Paul, 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-3 in first-round action.
The Italian has now saved multiple match points en route to victory four times this season.
“I just try to stay focussed on the present moment,” said Sinner when asked about his heroics. “You cannot change anything in the past. Right now I’m thinking more about my level, because I don’t think it was one of my best performances. So I will try to raise it in the next round, but obviously [I’m] happy to be through because it was a very difficult match, a difficult opponent.”
He did it in Dubai against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (3 saved), then achieved the feat twice at Miami against Emil Ruusuvuori (3) and Pablo Carreno Busta (5). Today he battled through a groin injury to improve to 8-1 in deciding sets on the season.
Sinner is now 20-4 overall, and will face Alex de Minaur in the second round at Madrid.