Jannik Sinner is on a mission at the Paris Masters. World no. 2 faced Francisco Cerundolo in the third round and scored a 7-5, 6-1 victory in hour and 25 minutes for a place in his 18th Masters 1000 quarter-final.
The Italian prevailed in a tight opener and left the Argentine behind in set number two to notch his 23rd consecutive indoor winand remain on the title course. If Jannik wins his first Masters 1000 event of the season, he will become world no. 1 ahead of Carlos Alcaraz ahead of the ATP Finals.
Both players struggled behind the second serve, and Sinner made the difference behind the first. The favorite lost serve two times and turned over half of the return points into five breaks from eight opportunities.
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Jannik landed 22 winners and 23 unforced errors. He had the upper hand in service winners and from the baseline, outplaying Francisco in the shortest range up to four strokes.
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They traded four consecutive breaks in the middle of the opening set to remain neck and neck. After four comfortable holds, Cerundolo needed another fine display behind the initial shot at 5-6.
Sinner made a push on the return and seized a set point after the rival's loose drop shot for a massive boost. World no. 2 served well in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side.
Jannik provided a break in the second game with a forehand down the line winner. He held at love for 3-0 and wasted two more chances on the return in game four.
Francisco sprayed a forehand mistake in the sixthgame, falling 5-1 behind and allowing the Italian to serve for the win. Sinner landed a service winner on a match point in game seven, moving over the top and remaining on the title course.
