Jannik Sinner sends classy message to Andrea Pellegrino after beating him at the Italian Open

Jannik Sinner advanced to the quarter-finals of the Italian Open with a routine win over qualifier Andrea Pellegrino, taking the match 6-2, 6-3.

The four-time Grand Slam champion eased through the encounter, moving comfortably into the next round.

Following the match, Sinner expressed his hopes for Pellegrino’s future on tour. “I hope he can find his best tennis throughout the year,” he said. “He’s going to stay in Rome now for a couple of days and also prepare mentally for what’s coming up next.”

Sinner hopes Pellegrino gains confidence from Italian Open performance

Speaking after the match, Sinner was asked about the current state of Italian tennis and how it’s evolving.

“I think we are simply in a really good moment, to be honest,” he said.

“Many great players. All different players.

“You can see it here, a lot of Italian fans are coming to watch this kind of tournament.

“I think it’s really, really nice to be part of this movement.

“At the same time today, Andrea [Pellegrino] made an incredible tournament, with many, many great memories for him.

“Hopefully, this can give him confidence. I felt like today was a good match from both of us. Also very physical.

“I was very happy with my level.”

Pellegrino had lost five of his last six matches before the Italian Open but bounced back impressively in front of his home crowd.

It remains to be seen whether the 29-year-old can maintain that form through the rest of the clay-court season.

Jannik Sinner’s full post-match reaction after Italian Open win

Right after his fourth-round win, Sinner spoke about the match and what it meant to him.

“Derbies are always very different, obviously. I’m very happy about the outcome, but at the same time, I’m very happy for him. I know he is working very hard,” he said.

“We played seven years ago, in a definitely smaller court, so it’s nice.

“Of course, from an Italian point of view, amazing that there are so many Italians, but at the same time, a bit unfortunate [that we meet] in the round of 16, but look, it’s been a good match from both of us and now let’s see – hopefully I’m ready for the quarter-finals.

“I think I can be very happy. Tricky conditions. In the end a bit less wind but in the beginning was not easy but I’m happy with how I am trying to handle this kind of situation. The stage is getting bigger and bigger so as long as you put yourself in this position.”

Sinner also discussed his mindset going into what will be an important quarter-final for his hopes at Roland Garros.

Sinner will face Felix Auger-Aliassime next up before a potential semi-final against Rafael Nadal or Daniil Medvedev.

Who will Jannik Sinner face in the Italian Open quarter-finals?

Sinner will face Andrey Rublev of Russia in the quarter-finals.

The Italian holds a 7-3 lead in their head-to-head record, though Rublev does have a clay win over him, which came at the 2022 French Open.

Rublev will be hoping to repeat that result in Rome, but it’s a tough ask given Sinner’s recent form.

Sinner is undefeated on clay this season and hasn’t lost a match since February at the Qatar Open.

Whether Rublev can snap that streak remains to be seen. The two will meet for a place in the semi-finals on Thursday, May 14th.

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