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World No. 10 Jannik Sinner showed respect to former world No. 1 Andy Murray after beating the Scot in Dubai. Sinner, seeded at No. 4, dismantled Murray 7-5-6 2 to progres into the Dubai quarterfinal. It was the second meeting between the two.
Sinner and Murray clashed at the Stockholm Open late last year and back then the Briton beat the Italian. On Wednesday in Dubai, Sinner delivered a good performance to get his revenge over Murray. “It is a special feeling [to share the court with Murray],” Sinner said in his on-court interview, per the ATP website.
“He is a legend. Winning three Grand Slams, many, many tournaments and he has had some unfortunate moments with surgeries. His fighting spirit is incredible”.
Sinner overcame early match nerves
Sinner had a chance to go up by a break early in the first set but Murray saved two consecutive break points in the fifth game.
Sinner didn't get a break in the fifth game but broke Murray to love in the 11th game to take a 6-5 lead. Sinner then realized his first set point in the following game to win a tight opener. After winning the first set, Sinner broke Murray in the opening game of the second set.
Sinner had a chance to go up by a double break but Murray saved a break point in the third game to reduce the deficit to 2-1. However, it didn't take long for Sinner to claim another break as he broke the Scot again in the fifth game and served out for the match in the eighth game.
“There were some nerves,” Sinner said. “I lost my last match against him. I tried to stay focused about my game and it worked. Thanks for the support as always. I think I played well, especially in the first set when it was tight in some moments”.
Sinner will be fighting Hubert Hurkacz for a place in the Dubai semifinal. It remains to be seen if Sinner can win his first Dubai title this week.
