Sinner sweeps aside Korda in Monte-Carlo, Tsitsipas advances

After Jannik Sinner dominated on hard courts in 2024, interest was high in how the Italian would play on clay.

Competing in his first match on the surface this year, the Italian answered the question emphatically, sweeping past Sebastian Korda 6-1, 6-2 to reach the third round at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.

Sinner moved freely and struck the ball with clean timing, outlasting the American in lengthy baseline exchanges. The No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings saved all three break points he faced and was impressive on his first-serve, winning 95 per cent (20/21) of points behind his first delivery to advance after 76 minutes.

“I think me and Sebi have similar game styles, so we are not playing like the classic clay-court specialists, we like to play quite flat,” Sinner said. “But I moved quite well in these conditions. Every year it is tough to come here and perform well but I am happy with the performance. Let’s see what is coming in the next round, it is always great to be back here.”

The 22-year-old, who hit several stunning winners against Korda, will next play Jan-Lennard Struff after the German defeated Borna Coric on Tuesday to earn his 200th tour-level win.

Sinner has been the one to beat on the ATP Tour this year. The second seed has captured a Tour-leading three titles in 2024, including his first major at the Australian Open. He arrives in Monte-Carlo high in confidence, having lifted his second ATP Masters 1000 trophy in Miami last month.

This week, Sinner is chasing his second crown on clay after winning in Umag in 2022. He is making his fourth appearance in the Principality, where he advanced to the semi-finals last season.

Two-time champion Stefanos Tsitsipas also raced into the third round. The Greek dispatched Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-1, 6-0 in just 64 minutes to set a popcorn third-round clash against Alexander Zverev.

Tsitsipas, a champion in 2021 and 2022 in the Principality, struck 22 winners and broke Etcheverry’s serve six times according to Infosys ATP Stats to improve to 16-3 at the clay-court event.

The 25-year-old has struggled to find his best level this season, holding a 13-6 record on the season. Tsitsipas is currently No. 12 in the PIF ATP Rankings and will be hoping for a deep run in Monte-Carlo to propel back into the Top 10.