NEW YORK — Jannik Sinner continued his imperious form on hard courts, cruising into the third round of the US Open with a commanding 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 victory over fellow Italian Matteo Berrettini on Wednesday night. Despite the straight-sets win, the Australian Open champion was quick to point out that his performance was far from flawless and that there are still significant areas for improvement.
The highly-anticipated all-Italian clash, a rematch of the 2022 Wimbledon quarterfinal, failed to live up to its blockbuster billing as Sinner’s relentless precision and power proved too much for the 2021 Wimbledon finalist. With this win, Sinner extended his remarkable winning streak at hard-court Grand Slams to an impressive 23 consecutive matches, a run that began at last year’s Australian Open.
Dominant Performance Masks Self-Criticism
From the outside, the match appeared to be a near-perfect display from the world No. 1. Sinner struck 31 winners to just 19 unforced errors, never faced a break point, and converted five of his eleven break opportunities. His movement was characteristically fluid, and his groundstrokes, particularly his inside-out forehand, were devastating. Yet, in his post-match press conference, Sinner’s focus was not on the scoreline but on the details he felt were lacking.
"The score says it was in straight sets, but it was not as easy as it looked," Sinner stated. "I feel like there is a lot to improve. I can improve the serve, I can improve the volley, I can improve the movement. There are many things. I'm happy that I'm in the next round, but I know I have to raise my level if I want to go deeper."
This relentless pursuit of perfection has become a hallmark of Sinner’s mentality. Even while sitting atop the tennis world, he and his team, led by coaches Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi, are constantly analyzing his game for marginal gains. This critical self-assessment after a dominant win sends a clear message to the rest of the field: the best version of Jannik Sinner is still to come.
Breaking Down the Berrettini Challenge
The match was always going to be a contrast in styles: Sinner’s flat, aggressive baseline game against Berrettini’s powerful serve and potent forehand. The key for Sinner was neutralizing Berrettini’s biggest weapon—his booming first serve. Sinner’s elite return-of-stand positioning and ability to block back even the fastest serves deep into the court nullified Berrettini’s primary advantage.
Sinner’s tactical execution was superb. He consistently attacked Berrettini’s vulnerable backhand wing, pinning him in extended cross-court exchanges where Sinner held the clear upper hand. When Berrettini ran around to hit his favored forehand, Sinner was ready to redirect the ball down the line with pace, opening up the court and exposing his opponent’s movement.
The statistics highlighted Sinner's dominance in the extended rallies:
- He won 76% of points lasting 5-8 shots (19 of 25).
- He was even more commanding in rallies lasting 9+ shots, winning 11 of 15 (73%).
This stranglehold in the longer points broke Berrettini’s spirit and rhythm, preventing him from ever establishing a foothold in the match. Sinner acknowledged the difficulty of playing a close friend and Davis Cup teammate, but his on-court focus never wavered. "It's never easy to play against a friend... but on the court, you try to win, and that's it," he said.
The Road Ahead in New York
With the victory, Sinner sets up a third-round encounter with 25th seed Pavel Kotov of Russia. While on paper it appears to be a favorable matchup, Sinner’s comments ensure he will not be taking any opponent lightly. The draw in his quarter has opened up slightly, with the early exit of potential quarterfinal opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas, but dangerous players like Ben Shelton and Sebastian Korda still loom.
The areas Sinner identified for improvement will be crucial for the tougher tests ahead. His first-serve percentage against Berrettini was a solid 66%, but increasing that number will be key against elite returners. His net play, while improved, can still be a liability, and he will look to be more decisive when moving forward to finish points.
The Pursuit of Perfection Continues
What separates the good from the great in any sport is often this insatiable hunger to improve. Sinner’s willingness to publicly critique a stellar performance is not false modesty; it is the driving force behind his rapid ascent. He is not just competing against the player on the other side of the net; he is competing against his own ideal of a perfect match.
His coach, Darren Cahill, has often spoken about this trait, noting that Sinner’s capacity for hard work and his desire to learn are "as good as any player I've ever worked with." This mindset transforms practice sessions and ensures that even in victory, the focus remains on the process, not just the result.
As the US Open progresses and the pressure intensifies, Sinner’s blend of current form and relentless drive for improvement makes him the undeniable favorite to claim his second Grand Slam title. He has breezed through the first two rounds, but his own words suggest the real challenge, the one he sets for himself, is just beginning.
The tennis world watches, waiting to see if Sinner can indeed "raise his level" even higher. If he can, the message to the rest of the tour will be as clear as his performance against Berrettini: the number one ranking is in very secure hands.