Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Jannik Sinner kicked off his Erste Bank Open journey with an impressive 6-0, 6-2 triumph over Daniel Altmaier, lasting only 58 minutes. The 24-year-old Italian, who celebrated victory in Vienna last year, showcased remarkable skill by landing 19 winners while registering just seven unforced errors and not facing a single break point. This remarkable win marks Sinner’s fastest of the 2025 season, further extending his indoor hard court dominance to 17 consecutive matches.
From the outset, Sinner displayed total control, his powerful shots and steady pace leaving Altmaier clearly outmatched. “I felt that everything was clicking in the first set,” said Sinner. “Playing on indoor courts requires caution. If an opponent serves well, breaking becomes quite challenging. Regardless, I'm pleased with today’s performance, kicking off the tournament positively in terms of both gameplay and my overall feeling.”
His previous quickest victory this season was at Cincinnati, where he beat Daniel Elahi Galan in 59 minutes. Against Altmaier, Sinner's impressive display underscored his readiness and concentration, setting a strong tone for the ATP 500 event in Vienna.
Next in line for Sinner is fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli, who won his opener against Tomas Machac with a score of 7-6(6), 6-2. This matchup promises an exciting duel as both players aspire to navigate deeper into the tournament.
Other prominent seeds also showcased their prowess on the first day. Daniil Medvedev, fresh off his victory in Almaty, began his Vienna campaign with a 6-4, 6-7(7), 6-2 win over Nuno Borges. Even after losing two match points in the second-set tiebreak, Medvedev bounced back strongly as he gears up for the Nitto ATP Finals, set to face Corentin Moutet next in a rematch of their Almaty final.
Matteo Berrettini also moved forward, overcoming Alexei Popyrin 7-6(5), 6-3. He is looking to make his way to a fourth consecutive quarter-final in Vienna and might face Cameron Norrie next. Third seed Alex de Minaur similarly followed suit, winning 6-4, 6-4 against Austrian wildcard Filip Misolic, as he aims to secure his second ATP 500 title this year.
Tallon Griekspoor became the first player to reach the quarter-finals, narrowly edging past Brandon Nakashima with a score of 7-6(4), 7-6(2). He now awaits the outcome of the match between second seed Alexander Zverev and qualifier Matteo Arnaldi, promising yet another thrilling encounter.
The Erste Bank Open has commenced with stellar performances from top players, emphasizing the competitive nature of the tournament and Sinner’s impressive form as he looks to reclaim his title. This initial day lays the foundation for more electrifying matches ahead.
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