Tennis

Internazionali d'Italia, Sinner does not disappoint expectations and gets rid of Ofner

In his Internazionali d'Italia debut, the Atp number one wins in two sets (6-3, 6-4)

by Marco Bellinazzo

9 May 2026

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2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Austrian Sebastian Ofner could do nothing against Jannik Sinner in the second round of the Internazionali d'Italia, which marked the Italian tennis player's debut at the Foro Italico. In a packed Centre Court with many orange segments, Sinner won in two sets, 6-3, 6-4.

The match

It took only a few games for Sinner to warm up and break serve at 3:1 in the first set, and then to extend to 4:1 thanks to a service game with no history. Ofner clung to serves above 200 km/h to stay within the match, but in the exchanges Sinner showed overwhelming superiority. The first set was over in 37 minutes, 6-3.

The second set opened with a break by Sinner won with a very precise short ball. Ofner, class of '96 and number 82 in the Atp rankings, avoided suffering a second break right away, making several aces, and with seven consecutive points on serve, he took the lead 2:3.

The seventh game, which lasted over nine minutes, was the most hard-fought with Sinner failing to find the paw to close and Ofner managing to make it 3-4.

After two interruptions for medical treatment to be given to two spectators, Sinner found a way to exploit the break, without conceding any opportunities to his opponent, and sealing the final success at 6:4.

There was only one previous meeting between the two tennis players, dating back to 2019, which also ended with a victory for the Italian, who had won a Challenger circuit title on Roman soil.

The Italians' other matches

Not only Sinner. Flavio Cobolli also advanced to the third round of the Internazionali d'Italia. The ranking number 12 beat Frenchman Terence Atmane in two sets. For access to the round of 16, Cobolli will face Argentinean Thiago Agustin Tirante. Also advancing was Mattia Bellucci who overcame No. 24 seed Tomas Etcheverry in three sets.

Bad news, however, for Jasmine Paolini, the title holder in Rome, who was defeated by Elise Mertens with a score of 4-6, 7-6, 6-3, after missing three match points in the second set. Also eliminated was WTA No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian succumbed in three sets with a score of 2-6 6-3 7-5 to Sorana Cirstea.