PARIS — World number one Jannik Sinner overcame a late-match stumble to secure a straight-sets victory over French wildcard Arthur Rinderknech in his opening match at the 2024 French Open, winning 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The Italian, playing his first Grand Slam as the ATP’s top-ranked player, appeared in control for much of the match before facing resistance in the third set. Sinner, who has been nursing a hip injury in recent weeks, showed signs of discomfort but ultimately held firm to advance to the second round.
A Dominant Start
Sinner wasted no time asserting his dominance, breaking Rinderknech early in the first set with his trademark precision. The 22-year-old showcased his improved serve and relentless baseline game, dictating play with deep groundstrokes and sharp angles. "I felt good at the beginning," Sinner said post-match. "I was moving well and hitting my spots."
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Sinner breaking in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. Rinderknech, ranked 83rd in the world, struggled to handle Sinner’s pace and variety, particularly on the backhand side. The Italian closed out the set with a clinical love hold, punctuated by an ace.
Late Match Jitters
The third set proved trickier for Sinner. After breaking early to lead 3-1, he faced unexpected resistance as Rinderknech upped his aggression, saving three break points in the fifth game. The Frenchman then broke back to level at 3-3, capitalizing on a rare dip in Sinner’s focus.
Sinner admitted afterward, "I lost my rhythm a bit in the third set. Arthur started playing more freely, and the crowd got behind him." However, the top seed regrouped, breaking again in the ninth game before serving out the match, sealing victory with a forehand winner.
Key Stats
- Winners: Sinner struck 32 winners to Rinderknech’s 18.
- Break Points: Converted 4 of 9, while saving 3 of 4 on his own serve.
- First Serve: Won 78% of points behind his first serve.
Post-Match Reflections
Sinner acknowledged the physical challenge of his recent injury but remained optimistic. "The hip is not perfect, but it’s getting better every day. I’m happy to get through in three sets today. The most important thing is to manage it well and stay positive."
Rinderknech, despite the loss, earned praise from Sinner for his fighting spirit. "He’s a tough opponent, especially here in Paris. The crowd gave him energy, and he used it well in the third set."
Looking Ahead
Sinner will face either Richard Gasquet or Borna Ćorić in the second round. With Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal due to injury, the Italian is now a strong favorite to claim his second Grand Slam title after his Australian Open triumph earlier this year.
Despite the late wobble, Sinner’s performance reinforced his status as a contender. As he put it, "Every match here is a battle. I’m just taking it one step at a time and focusing on my recovery. The goal is to be ready for the next challenge."