Generally, it is really very hard to please Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgioz. But the 26-year-old Aussie was extremely impressed by Italian youngster Jannik Sinner. The young sensation faced the big-serving American Reilly Opelka in the first round of the Erste Bank Open in Vienna.
Sinner came out with flying colours as he won 6-4, 6-2 and progressed through to the second round. His performances have mesmerized Nick Kyrgios to such an extent that the Australian felt that he has never seen someone hit the ball as hard as the Italian youngster. The 20-year-old has already taken the tennis world by storm with his maturity and composure over the last few years. His perseverance and hard work have seen him come on the brink of breaking into the Top 10 rankings in the world.
Sinner has won four ATP titles in 2021 which include Antwerp, Sofia, Washington and Melbourne. The success in the tour this season has resulted in him achieving the world ranking of 11. he is definitely one of the brightest young talents in the tennis circuit.
Sinner’s big win against Reilly Opelka was praised by journalist Ben Rothenberg aswell. He highlighted how the Italian has not dropped a set in his nine matches indoors. Kyrgios was quick to notice Rothenberg’s tweet and expressed his appreciation aswell for the 20-year-old. The Australian referred to the events when he and Frances Tiafoe faced Sinner and Sebastian Korda in the Citi Open in Washington. While Kyrgios and Tiafoe went down 6-4, 6-4 in that match, the Aussie star remembers how good Sinner was as a talent.
“He is another level. That’s for sure, played him in Washington doubles. Never played someone who hit the ball as hard,” Kyrgios tweeted.
Sinner currently is looking forward to ATP Finals qualification. The Italian is one of the contenders to make it to the season-ending event but for that, he needs a few more wins under his belt. Sinner will face local favourite Dennis Novak in the next round of the Vienna Open. Sinner is currently battling it out against Norway’s Casper Ruud and Canada’s Hubert Hurkacz for a spot in the ATP Finals. Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the event has allowed youngsters like them to participate.
