Sinner blunts Cerundolo threat, moves into Rome QFs

Jannik Sinner faced his greatest test since returning to action at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Tuesday in Rome, but advanced with clinical precision.

The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings earned a 7-6(2), 6-3 victory over Francisco Cerundolo, who boasts the most clay-court wins on the ATP Tour in 2025 (18). Sinner edged Cerundolo in an absorbing, one-hour-and-17-minute opening set before converting his fourth match point in the second to reach the quarter-finals at the ATP Masters 1000.

“He’s a very tough competitor, it’s a great challenge for me,” said Sinner. “Especially now trying to get used to so many difficult situations on the court. I just tried to stay there mentally, trying to play every point. But I’m very happy because I felt like I raised my level. Game wise, I felt a little bit better. It was very heavy conditions, and it was a long day. The crowd helped me, so I’m happy to go through.”

Moving 🔛@janniksin takes out Cerundolo 7-6(2) 6-3 to advance to the quarter-finals in Rome.@InteBNLdItalia | #IBI25 pic.twitter.com/tTyFxa9Nkx

— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 13, 2025

Sinner saved six of eight break points, according to Infosys ATP Stats, but it wasn’t all plain sailing. The Italian dropped serve at 5-1, and let slip two match points on return in the ensuing game. Sinner was then forced to save two break points in the final game, which lasted eight minutes, but recovered well.

Both players went toe to toe in a heavy-hitting baseline display, but Sinner mixed in variation to disrupt Cerundolo’s rhythm throughout the two-hour, 16-minute contest. The 23-year-old, roared on by a typically charged crowd in the Italian capital, often deployed drop shots and moved in behind them to assert his dominance.

By extending his winning streak to 24 matches, Sinner joined Filippo Volandri as the only Italian men to reach multiple Rome quarter-finals this century. With Lorenzo Musetti also advancing past Daniil Medvedev earlier on Tuesday, it marks the first time that two Italians have reached the quarter-finals in Rome since 1984 (C. Panatta, Cancellotti).

“I still have to do many things to recover in the best possible way, but I need this,” said Sinner when asked of his recovery ahead of the quarter-finals. “I’m happy to be back [after] three months out, so with every situation I’m very fortunate and lucky. Let’s see, whatever comes out, comes out.”

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Sinner, who improved to 3-2 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Cerundolo, will next face Madrid champion Casper Ruud or Jaume Munar.