Jannik Sinner rolls into semi-finals despite rally from Jiri Lehecka

World No. 1 and reigning China Open champion Jannik Sinner held off No. 37 Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in 6-2, 7-6(6) win.

Sinner looked far more comfortable to start the match, winning his first set for the first time during this year’s tournament. The 23-year-old Italian’s win improves his match winning streak to 14 as he enters his 10th tournament semifinal this season. Sinner leads the ATP Tour with the most titles (6), overall wins (58) and hard court wins (38).

In Sinner’s second-ever match against the Lehecka, Sinner looked visibly more comfortable returning serves compared to earlier in the tournament. He held his serve in the first game, then dropped the second game to Lehecka before taking the next three games. The Italian won 73% of his service points, finishing each game quickly without allowing any to go to deuce. His opponent managed to win the sixth game, but Sinner’s grasp on the set was too strong. He won the set 6-2.

Sinner’s dominance in the first set made it seem this match would end quickly, but Lehecka’s tenacity extended it. Sinner continued to command play, forcing tough shots for Lehecka. Nevertheless, the Czech player tightened his service game and put pressure on his opponent. Lehecka’s service game looked nearly perfect. He also began playing more aggressively by approaching the net and forcing Sinner to return more quickly. Sinner had no answer to the faster speed of play.

“[Lehecka] is a very aggressive player, when he goes through the ball it’s a very tough ball to control,” Sinner said in his press conference afterward.

The pair defended their respective serves all the way to a tiebreak. There, the story remained much the same. Sinner and Lehecka battled back and forth, with Lehecka eventually taking a 6-4 lead. In characteristic fashion, Sinner remained calm in the biggest moment and took the final four points, winning the set. Sinner has now won 16 of his last 17 tie-breaks going back to the third set of the quarter-finals in Halle in June.

Sinner continues to look sharper with every match in the tournament. He will bring his vicious forehand and propensity for extended rallies as he faces wild card Yunchaokete Bu, who is the first Chinese man to reach the China Open semifinals.

—Reporting by Egan Ward