CINCINNATI — World No. 1 Jannik Sinner celebrated his 24th birthday in style, sweeping past French qualifier Terence Atmane in straight sets to reach the final of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. The Italian star, who has been in scintillating form this season, delivered a dominant performance to win 6-2, 6-4 in just 78 minutes.
Sinner, who ascended to the top of the ATP rankings earlier this month, showcased his trademark precision and power, firing 25 winners while committing only 10 unforced errors. The victory extends his winning streak to 12 matches, having already claimed titles in Halle and Toronto this summer. "It’s a special day for me, and to reach the final makes it even better," Sinner said in his post-match interview.
A Birthday to Remember
Playing on his birthday for the first time in his professional career, Sinner wasted no time asserting his dominance. He broke Atmane’s serve twice in the opening set, dictating play with his aggressive baseline game. The Frenchman, ranked No. 122, struggled to handle Sinner’s depth and pace, particularly off the forehand wing.
Key moments from the match included:
- A stunning cross-court backhand pass from Sinner to break Atmane in the third game.
- A 12-point streak in the first set where Sinner won every point on serve.
- A clutch hold at 4-4 in the second set, saving two break points with unreturnable serves.
Atmane’s Valiant Effort
Despite the one-sided scoreline, Atmane showed flashes of brilliance, particularly with his drop shots and net play. The 22-year-old qualifier, who had never faced a top-10 player before this tournament, pushed Sinner in the second set, earning three break points. However, the Italian’s composure under pressure proved decisive. "Jannik was just too solid today," Atmane admitted. "He doesn’t give you any free points."
Road to the Final
Sinner’s path to the Cincinnati final has been impressive:
- First Round: Bye (as top seed)
- Second Round: Defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 6-1, 6-2
- Quarterfinals: Overcame Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(4), 7-6(5)
His semifinal win over Atmane sets up a potential blockbuster final against either Carlos Alcaraz or Daniil Medvedev, who face off in the other semifinal. A victory would mark Sinner’s third Masters 1000 title of the year, further solidifying his status as the man to beat heading into the US Open.
Sinner’s Stellar Season
2024 has been a breakthrough year for Sinner, who has now reached six finals, winning four titles. His rise to No. 1 came after a semifinal run at Wimbledon, where he narrowly lost to Alcaraz in five sets. Since then, he has been nearly unstoppable on hard courts, dropping only one set in his last 10 matches.
His coach, Darren Cahill, praised his consistency: "Jannik’s ability to maintain his level week after week is what separates him right now. He’s not just playing great tennis—he’s playing smart tennis."
Looking Ahead
With the US Open just two weeks away, Sinner’s form makes him the favorite for the final Grand Slam of the year. A title in Cincinnati would give him a major confidence boost, especially if he faces Alcaraz or Medvedev—two players he has had thrilling battles with in the past.
As for his birthday celebrations, Sinner kept it low-key: "Maybe a nice dinner with the team, but the job isn’t done yet. The final is the most important thing."
The Cincinnati final will be played on Sunday, with Sinner aiming to cap off a perfect birthday week. Whether he lifts the trophy or not, one thing is certain: the Italian has firmly established himself as the player to beat in men’s tennis.