World no. 1 Jannik Sinner is off to a winning start in Cincinnati. The defending champion faced a qualifier Daniel Elahi Galan in the first round and earned a convincing 6-1, 6-1 victory in 59 minutes.
The Italian dropped six points in seven service games, defending the only break point and mounting the pressure on the other side. Elahi Galan could not follow that pace. The Colombian served at 54% and dropped 56% of the points in his games.
World no. 1 generated 13 break chances and seized five to control the scoreboard and made a convincing start at his first tournament since lifting his first Wimbledon crown.
Sinner landed 20 winners and 12 unforced errors. He fired 19 service winners and forged a massive 31-9 advantage from the baseline. The favorite had the upper hand in the shortest and mid-range exchanges, enjoying a relaxed day at the office.
The Italian made a flying start. He provided three holds at love and grabbed breaks in games two and four for a massive 5-0 advantage after 15 minutes. Jannik served for the opener at 5-1.
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He denied a break point with a service winner and seized a set point with a crafty half-volley winner for 6-1 in 26 minutes. Sinner barely lost a point on serve in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side.
Elahi Galan suffered a break in the first game and saved five break chances two games later to remain within one break deficit. Jannik generated three break chances in the fifth game and seized the third with a forehand winner for a 4-1 advantage.
Returning at 5-1, the Italian landed a perfect drop shot winner for another break and a comfortable victory.
