In 2019, an 18-year-old Jannik Sinner served noticed to the tennis world of his blossoming potential by winning the NextGen ATP Finals crown before his countrymen in Milan, Italy. He was also named ATP Newcomer of the Year.
The tennis world took notice.
On Monday, the No. 11 seed is looking to book his first quarterfinal appearance in New York, where he would join fellow Italian Matteo Berrettini. Standing in Sinner's way is the unseeded Ilya Ivashka, whom he'll play in their first career meeting.
A win on Monday would complete the career Grand Slam of quarterfinal appearances for Sinner. He reached the 2020 Roland Garros and 2022 Australian Open quarterfinals, and then broke though this summer by getting that far at Wimbledon; there, he led eventual champion Novak Djokovic by two-sets-to-love before losing in five.
Sinner attributes his success to his growing maturity of what it takes to be a professional tennis player.
"When you come [into] the tour, maybe 2019, I was here and it was the first Grand Slam where I qualified, so you play a little bit freer, no?," said Sinner, who lost in the first round in his first two appearances at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
"So it is a little bit different, for sure,” said Sinner, who exited in the Round of 16 last year. “And I am also in a different position now than two or three years ago. So in the beginning, it takes time to understand some things. You have, yeah, many, many things to where you can see that you have to improve, and you have to trust also yourself and your team, to do better. This is what we try to do."
In turning back the challenge of American Brandon Nakashima in a four-set, third-round match that ended past midnight on Saturday, Sinner had to dig deep in numerous high-stress situations.
"I knew I had to play very well and raise my level," Sinner said. "In the tough moments, you have to say positive. We worked very hard on this in practice sessions."
Physically, the 6-foot-2 Sinner already has the strength and size to play big-time tennis. Recently, he's begun to work on adding more weapons to his arsenal.
"Well, we work very hard every day, especially on the serve, trying to go a little bit more in the net," Sinner said.
Sinner beat a steady path to the net and won 31-of-39 (79%) of volley points against Nakashima.
"So this part we tried to improve. I think the all-around game, also slice, and then trying to understand when to use certain shots," he added. "I think this kind of thing I have improved; also mentally, because now I'm in a little bit different state of mind.
"I think these are the biggest ones ... It's all part of the process, and we put a lot of effort in the work."
And it is working.
