Jannik Sinner is breaking new ground at the Paris Masters. World no. 2 has been on a role since Beijing, competing in consecutive weeks but maintaining his stamina and composure.
The Italian entered this week's Paris Masters with a mediocre score in the French capital. However, the San Candido native has changed his tally at the prestigious indoor event after reaching the title clash.
Jannik bested four rivals in straight sets, arranging the title clash and joining Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on a notable list. Since the Paris Masters moved to hard court in 2007, these three are the only players to advance into the final without dropping a set.
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Sinner arrived in Paris following a grueling ATP 500 final in Vienna against Alexander Zverev. He started the campaign against Zizou Bergs and earned a 6-4, 6-2 victory in an hour and 27 minutes.
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The favorite served well and kept his rival away from break points. Bergs could not match that pace. He faced 11 break points and gave serve away three times to propel world no. 2 over the top.
Jannik met Francisco Cerundolo in the third round and provided a 7-5, 6-1 win in an hour and 25 minutes. The Italian did not feel well physically. However, he claimed a tight opener with a late break and dominated set number two for a place in the last eight.
Sinner faced a top-10 rival Ben Shelton and bested him 6-3, 6-3 in 69 minutes after another rock-solid display. The four-time Major champion lost eight points in his games and suffered one break.
He stepped in on the return and turned 45% of the return points into four breaks from eight opportunities to sail over the top and preserveenergy. Jannik met the defending champion Alexander Zverev in the semi-final.
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He dismantled fellow top-3 player 6-0, 6-1 in 62minutes for a place in his ninth Masters 1000 final. Zverev survived against Daniil Medvedev the previous night but had nothing left in the tank for an in-form rival.
Jannik took charge right from the opening games, dominating on serve and return and sailing over the top. Thus, the Italian became the third player since 2007 to advance into the Paris Masters final without losing a set.
Roger Federer did that in 2011, with Novak Djokovic mirroring the feat in 2011 and 2014. Sinner will face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final, seeking the title and the ATP throne.
