Jannik Sinner holds off Gael Monfils to set up Milos Raonic quarter-final, Cameron Norrie beaten in Argentina
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Updated 15/02/2024 at 22:47 GMT
Jannik Sinner has now won 12 matches in a row after beating Gael Monfils in three sets to make the quarter-finals in Rotterdam. The Australian Open champion finished strong to set up a clash with Milos Raonic in the last eight of the indoor tournament. Elsewhere, British No. 1 Cameron Norrie was beaten in three sets by Federico Coria in the second round of the Argentina Open.
Highlights: Griekspoor reaches Rotterdam Open quarters with win over Hurkasz
Jannik Sinner came through a tricky test against Gael Monfils to reach the quarter-finals of the Rotterdam Open.
Playing his second match since winning the Australian Open, Sinner won 6-3 3-6 6-3 to record his 12th consecutive victory.
The world No. 4, who will next play Milos Raonic, finished with fewer winners than Monfils (13 v 21) and also made more unforced errors (15 v 14), but served well to snap Monfils’ 11-match winning streak at the tournament.
“It was one shaky game of mine in the second set and things changed so fast,” said Sinner after the match.
“I still believe that these kinds of matches, they help you a lot, especially on the mental part. When you don’t play your best tennis and you still try somehow to find the way to win.
“Against him, it is never easy, I have the feeling we know each other a little bit better now, and he changed some things, as I do, and today went my way.”
Sinner is the top seed in Rotterdam and started in confident fashion by winning the first three games.
Monfils fired down successive love holds to get into the set but Sinner responded with a quick service game of his own to move 5-2 ahead.
The Italian then served out the set at the first time of asking.
But Monfils upped his level in the second set and broke for a 3-1 lead.
The 37-year-old showed he hasn’t lost any of his trademark athleticism or shot-making as he sent Sinner scrambling at the net and won a point with a backhand down the line.
Sinner had the chance to break back in the ninth game but couldn’t take it, and two points later, Monfils took the set.
Monfils couldn’t carry his momentum into the deciding set, though, as Sinner went 3-0 ahead helped by a strong serving display.
Monfils looked to be tiring as he was dragged from side to side by Sinner, who moved a game away from victory with a love hold.
The win was sealed when Monfils sent a service return into the net.
Earlier in the day, Alexander Shevchenko secured the “best win” of his career as he beat world No. 7 Holger Rune 6-4 1-6 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals.
Shevchenko will next face sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov, who beat Marton Fucsovics 6-3 7-5 for his tour-leading 12th win of the season.
Home favourite Tallon Griekspoor upset world No. 8 Hubert Hurkacz 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 7-6(4).
Hurkacz fired down 28 aces but Griekspoor notched 23 of his own as he won a tight contest in two hours and 34 minutes.
Norrie upset in Buenos Aires
British No. 1 Cameron Norrie suffered a surprise defeat to Federico Coria in the second round of the Argentina Open.
Norrie lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the clay event last year before turning the tables and beating him in the Rio Open final a week later.
But there will be no rematch this season as second seed Norrie was taken out 2-6 6-4 3-6 by world No. 106 Coria.
After dropping serve twice to lose the first set, Norrie fought back to level the contest.
He was behind in the deciding set but again rallied to get back on serve.
However, he was broken in the eighth game and Coria then served out the win and dropped to the floor in celebration as he sealed his place in the next round.
The loss could see Norrie drop down to No. 23 in the world rankings.
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