ATP roundup: Jannik Sinner avoids upset at China Open

Field Level Media|published: 09/26/2024, 10:52am EDT

Jannik Sinner celebrates after defeating Taylor Fritz in the men's singles final of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York on Sept. 8, 2024.

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner began defense of his China Open title with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over Nicolas Jarry on Thursday in Beijing.

Sinner won 82 percent of his first-serve points and overcame 12 aces by his foe to dispatch the Chilean in 1 hour, 55 minutes.

The Italian, who has won 12 matches in a row, advanced to face either Swiss wild card Stan Wawrinka or lucky loser Roman Safiullin of Russia

Adrian Mannarino of France and Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands overcame first-set stumbles to advance to the second round. Czech Jiri Lehecka had an easier time of it on Thursday, posting a 7-6 (4), 6-2 win over Spaniard Pedro Martinez.

Japan Open

Frenchman Arthur Fils upended top-seeded Taylor Fritz, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in their opening-round match in Tokyo.

Fils had 10 aces and benefited from six double faults by his foe to dispatch Fritz in 2 hours and 3 minutes.

Sixth-seeded Holger Rune and eighth-seeded Ben Shelton also needed three sets before outlasting Alejandro Tabilo of Chile and Reilly Opelka respectively. Rune posted a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Tabilo and Shelton -- the defending champion -- overcame a first-set misstep before notching a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 win over Opelka.

Fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece and seventh-seeded Frances Tiafoe were not as fortunate. Alex Michelsen seized a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over Tsitsipas, while Brandon Nakashima secured a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Tiafoe.

--Field Level Media