Italian sensation Jannik Sinner was up against local boy Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the first round of the French Open 2021. It was their second meeting, and unlike the previous match result, the Frenchman emerged on the winning side. The match ended in Jannik Sinner’s favor, winning 6-1, 4-6, 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4 which lasted for over three hours and 30 minutes.

Set 1: Jannik Sinner strikes first, breaks opponent thrice

The Italian teenager started the match on a high note. Jannik Sinner took control of the match and broke his opponent thrice during the set. He served brilliantly and won all his first-serve points.

On the other hand, Pierre-Hugues Herbert was playing poorly and hit nine unforced errors, which made matters worse for him. Overall, the Italian won 26 points as compared to his opponent’s 10 points.

Jannik Sinner won the set 6-1.

Set 2: Pierre-Hugues Herbert raises the bar, levels things up

The Frenchman was more consistent with his shotmaking. If he had to stay alive in the match, he had to trouble the Italian. In this set, Herbert came closer to the net and finished points off early. Engaging in long rallies from the baseline is Jannik’s strength.

Pierre-Hugues attacked the Italian’s serve and managed to break him twice.

In the end, he claimed the set 6-4 and made his mark on the match.

Set 3: Jannik Sinner fight back but fails to claim the set

The French tennis player carried the momentum from the previous set and took control of the proceedings in the third set. Things took an interesting turn when Sinner fought back from 2-5 down and took the set into a tiebreaker.

Herbert claimed the set 7-6. He beat the Italian player in the tiebreaker, winning seven points as compared to Jannik’s four points.

Set 4: Jannik Sinner wins the set in high drama

Both players were serving with firmness and did not each other a glimpse of the breakpoints. In the eight-game, Jannik was down 0-40 and fought back to win the game after more than eight minutes. In the 10th game of the set, Herbert had a match point but Sinner maintained composure and won the game.

During the following game, Sinner got a breakpoint and seized the opportunity. He consolidated the break and sent the match into the final set, winning the fourth 7-5.

Set 5: The Italian prevails in the decider

Jannik Sinner just got himself out of jail and was riding on the momentum. He broke Herbert in the first game of the deciding set. In the end, the one break was enough for the Italian to see through the finishing line and claimed the set 6-4.

This is turning into some match 😍

Sinner or Herbert? #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/NW0FNTCLV3

— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 31, 2021

Jannik Sinner will take on fellow compatriot Gianluca Mager in the second round of the French Open 2021. It will be interesting to see how both players perform as they were involved in long matches today.

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