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World no. 4 and the Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner is through to the ATP 500 Rotterdam quarter-final. Jannik took down Gael Monfils 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in an hour and 52 minutes in the second round, setting the quarter-final clash with Milos Raonic.
Jannik toppled Gael for the fifth time in six encounters, outplaying the veteran on serve and return and taking 14 points more. The Italian played well behind the first and second serve, facing one break point in the second set that allowed the Frenchman to extend the duel.
However, Monfils lost serve two times from five chances offered to Sinner, finishing on the losing side despite a decent effort. They hit a similar number of service winners, and the young gun tamed his strokes more efficiently.
Jannik Sinner defeated Gael Monfils for the fifth time in six matches.
Jannik hit 14 winners and 18 unforced errors, and Gael failed to follow that pace, spraying 36 mistakes and suffering his fifth loss to the season's best player.
Sinner held at love in the first game of the encounter and grabbed a break at 15 in the next one after Monfils' wild forehand. World no. 4 held at 30 in the third game, opening a 3-0 advantage in under ten minutes! Jannik landed an ace in the fifth game, holding after deuce and extending the gap to 4-1.
Gael closed the sixth game with a forehand crosscourt winner, remaining within one break deficit. Jannik secured the seventh game at love, forcing Gael to serve to stay in the set. A two-time champion produced another fine hold and extended the battle before Sinner held at 15 at 5-3, wrapping up the opener in 32 minutes.
The Frenchman served well at the beginning of the second set and broke the Italian in the fourth game after Sinner's double fault. Monfils cemented the lead with a service winner in game five and fired an ace two games later for 5-2.
Jannik held at love in the eighth game and created a break chance in the next one. Gael denied it with a booming serve down the T line and wrapped up the set after Jannik's forehand error, forcing a decider after 70 minutes.
Sinner made a fresh start and grabbed a break at love in the second game after Monfils' backhand error. Jannik missed a break chance in the fourth game with a wayward forehand, allowing Gael to close it and remain within one break deficit.
The Italian moved 4-1 up with a hold at 15 in game five and moved closer to the finish line with a booming serve at 4-2. The Frenchman served to stay in the match in game eight and forced the rival's mistake to extend his chances.
However, Sinner sealed the deal with a service winner at 5-3, moving over the top and notching his 12th straight win.