One day different from the next – Sinner finds his clay feet match by match
After a dominant opening against Humbert, a difficult three-setter on Thursday that left him tired, Jannik Sinner was back to his best on Friday. “I wish every match would be like this,” he said. Zverev is next.
Jannik Sinner, Monte-Carlo 2026 | © Chryslène Caillaud / PsNewz
Jannik Sinner admitted on Friday that his first week on clay, at the Monte-Carlo Masters, has felt like three entirely separate tournaments – and that only the direction of travel matters now.
“Three matches, three completely different matches,” the Italian said after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Monte-Carlo semifinals. “The first one with a lefty (Humbert), yesterday was not so much rhythm (Machac), today was against someone I know quite well. I’m trying to get used to the sliding, the movement, and also the way to play. It’s a little bit different.”
The contrast across those three matches has been sharp. Against Ugo Humbert on Tuesday, Sinner was precise and dominant, dropping just three games in a demonstration of first-week clay confidence. He said afterwards that he had been pleasantly surprised by his own level.
“I wish every match could be like this”
“First time on clay, it was a very solid performance. Ugo is a very different player – lefty, playing quite flat with the backhand. It is a bit different, but I believe it was a good start.” He also flagged his awareness of what lay ahead. “Happy to play at least one more match here, and knowing mentally that after this tournament I have some time off, time to relax, and then get ready for Madrid.”
Then came Thursday, and Tomas Machac. Sinner won but dropped a set, admitted fatigue and served below his usual standards. He had looked, briefly, like a player still finding his clay body.
On Friday, none of that remained visible. He was efficient, broke once per set, conceded just one break point and saved it, and won 79 per cent of first-serve points. He was also, by his own account, enjoying himself again. Asked about his dropshot statistics, he smiled: “Yeah, today was good statistic. I wish every match would be like this.”
The week as a whole, he said, has given him enough to work with. “We have good feedback, enough feedback to work on after this tournament. Certain things would work well, certain things we need to improve. But I’m very happy about this first tournament here.”
Alexander Zverev awaits in the semifinals on Saturday.
