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Jannik Sinner qualified for the semi-finals of the ABN AMRO, ATP 500 in Rotterdam, taking advantage of Milos Raonic's withdrawal at the beginning of the second set. However, it must be said that the Canadian proved to be a tough nut to crack and had to succumb to a muscle problem in his right leg with a score of 7-6, 1-1.
Jannik, analyzing his performance, confessed that he found himself in difficulty in some passages of the first set.
"It was a very complicated match, I knew that at 5-4 it was a very difficult game, especially on the mental side. It's never a normal match with him, he obviously served very well as we saw. I was one break above, then on 15 pari made an excellent passer.
There was a moment of tension, but I think this is part of the game. In the other sense, I think I took home the first set at least with the right mentality. I was in difficulty, I didn't I felt great on the pitch. It was an excellent lesson," told the Italian to Sky Sport.
"I hope to play against them again because I need these matches to mature. Saturday will be a different and important match for me, as we all know, but I can't wait to get back on the pitch and try to do everything a little better. Let's see how it goes," he added.
By reaching the final, Jannik will become the new ATP No.3
Jannik also talked about the semifinal of the tournament and the opponent that awaits him: the Dutch Tallon Griekspoor.
"It will be difficult, because he always plays much better here. Last year he played an excellent match. I think he has matured, a year on the circuit does a lot and therefore he has grown too. Honestly, I can't wait to see how I will face this one. challenge, because those are the ones I like. It's a semi-final in an important tournament for my career, I hope to play a little more freely in certain moments. I'm happy to be at this point in the competition."
Any success would give him the certainty of becoming the first Italian in the Open Era to enter the Top-3 of the ATP ranking.
"On Saturday I will think above all about regaining my level on the court. I'm looking for this. I know that if I win things will happen but honestly I'm not thinking about it. I still have a lot of work to do: if I deserve to be number 3 it will be like this, otherwise I'll be number 4. In the end it's a position with one game. The most important thing is to believe in it, I'm quite calm," analyzed Jannik.
The Italian needed just over an hour on the pitch to emerge victorious from another very complicated match, which had turned into the worst possible situation at a certain point. In the end, it was Raonic's withdrawal at the beginning of the second set that guaranteed him passage to the round without expending any further precious energy.