Jannik Sinner survived a monumental scare at Wimbledon on Tuesday, edging past Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 3-6 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 6-4 in a gripping first-round encounter that lasted three hours and 42 minutes. The Italian, seeded sixth, saved two match points in the third-set tiebreak before rallying to victory on Court 1.
Struff's Power Game Puts Sinner on the Ropes
Struff, known for his booming serve and heavy groundstrokes, came out firing. He won 78% of his first-serve points and blasted 22 aces throughout the match. After dropping the first set, the German broke Sinner early in the second and held firm to level the contest. The third set saw both players hold serve until the tiebreak, where Struff earned two match points at 6-4. However, Sinner saved both with aggressive returns, eventually winning the tiebreak 9-7 to seize momentum.
Sinner's Resilience Shines Through
The world number eight showed why he is considered a future Grand Slam champion, raising his level in the fourth set. He broke Struff's serve twice, once in the fourth game and again in the eighth, to force a decider. In the final set, Sinner's superior fitness and court coverage proved decisive. He secured the only break in the seventh game, capitalizing on a double-fault from Struff, and served out the match to love.
According to tournament statistics, Sinner hit 48 winners to 36 unforced errors, while Struff's 60 winners were offset by 55 unforced errors. The Italian also won 14 of 23 net approaches, showcasing his improved all-court game.
Looking Ahead
Sinner will next face Frenchman Quentin Halys, who defeated Australian Alex de Minaur in straight sets. Reflecting on the win, Sinner said, "Jan played an incredible match. I had to fight for every point. Saving match points here at Wimbledon is special. I'm just happy to be through."
