Jannik Sinner vs Mariano Navone LIVE: World No 1 wins on return from doping ban at Italian Open
Sinner played his first match since winning the Australian Open in January
World No 1 Jannik Sinner came back with a bang as he dispatched Mariano Navone in straight sets on his return to action from suspension at the Italian Open.
Sinner was met by a partisan capacity-crowd in Rome, having not competed since winning the Australian Open in January due to a three-month doping ban.
There weren’t too many signs of rust and it didn’t take long for Sinner to break his Argentine opponent on the way to a 6-3 first-set win.
Navone showed signs of fighting back in the second, with the pair trading three consecutive breaks before Sinner served out the set to claim a 6-3 6-4 victory - taking his win streak to 22, dating to October.
Relive all the action from Sinner’s return below:
BREAK! *Jannik Sinner 6-3 4-4 Mariano Navone
Well, Navone is making this interesting!
He goes 0-30 up off the back of being broken and could be about to bite right back.
However, Sinner plays a superb low volley from close to reduce the deficit, before tying the game with a fantastic forehand.
Navone responds by counter-punching his way through to give himself a break point.
And he breaks back! Despite being played from side-to-side, he stays alive and Sinner nets!
BREAK! Jannik Sinner 6-3 4-3 Mariano Navone*
This will be pivotal.
Really strong clay-court work from Navone to dispatch a heavy forehand for advantage.
But Sinner bites back, turning aggressor and drilling a cross-court backhand past Navone to properly wake the crowd back up.
The home favourite then gets two more break point chances, but fluffs them both.
As he works Navone from corner to corner, a third arises as the Argentine clips the net. Can Sinner make the return this time?
He does! Navone goes long and Sinner gets the break in the second!
Jannik Sinner 6-3 3-3 Mariano Navone*
Navone has had his chances to break Sinner in this set, and despite his bouncy exterior, frustration might be beginning to set in.
Another unforced error sees him play into the net to start things off. He grows into the game a bit more but is getting played from side-to-side from Sinner.
With the score at 30-30, Sinner fires a bold shot down the line that comes off, giving him an opportunity to break.
This could be massive... but the chance goes awry! Sinner nets and we’re heading to deuce.
*Jannik Sinner 6-3 3-3 Mariano Navone
Navone is growing in confidence. He’s turning the aggressor on Sinner’s serve and forces the Italian back against the backboard to hit a wayward slice.
However, Sinner is able to keep steady with the score at 15-30, with Navone falling to an unforced error. The Argentine was well in that rally.
Sinner follows that up with an ace before Navone nets to hold. The World No 1 once again coming alright after being under pressure on serve.
Jannik Sinner 6-3 2-3 Mariano Navone*
Solid service game from Navone. He’s only been broken once today and looks good out there.
He holds again.
*Jannik Sinner 6-3 2-2 Mariano Navone
Much better from Sinner.
The pair indulge in a really good rally before Sinner puts one into the corner for Navone to chase. Once again, Navone’s return goes up into the air and Sinner finishes him with a smash.
With advantage, Sinner turns defensive and manages to return a fierce backhand back down the line, which Navone can only net.
Sinner avoids being broken!
*Jannik Sinner 6-3 1-2 Mariano Navone
Sinner tries to catch out Navone with a drop-shot to start things off - Navone gets there, but with Sinner not too far away, he returns with a drop of his own, which is promptly dispatched by the World No 1.
However, a couple of unforced errors sees the game locked at 30-30. Then another point goes Navone’s way.
The crowd has gone a bit tentative, even more now that Sinner faces being broken. But Navone doesn’t take the chance and hits a backhand into the top of the net.
To deuce we go.
Jannik Sinner 6-3 1-2 Mariano Navone*
Sinner is once again happy to just trade and force Navone into unforced errors as he takes a 15-30 lead on the defence.
Navone responds well, with Sinner going just wide himself before a fantastic serve can only be met with a netted return.
The Argentine seals the game in convincing fashion, getting Sinner running before leaving him flat-footed with a forehand into the corner.
*Jannik Sinner 6-3 1-1 Mariano Navone
An equally emphatic service game from Sinner who storms to a 40-0 lead in no time.
He slightly trips up with a forehand into the net, but with a chopper overhead, he shows no signs of distraction to pull off a delicate drop shot that Navone can’t reach.
Sinner holds.
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