Jannik Sinner secured victory in his first-round match at the Australian Open after opponent Hugo Gaston retired due to injury. Sinner was leading 6-2, 6-1 when Gaston withdrew after 68 minutes of play. Gaston had taken tablets after the first set.
Match Overview
- Sinner faced triple break point in the opening game but successfully defended, utilizing three aces and an unreturned serve.
- Sinner stated that he had to play high-level tennis and be aggressive, expressing satisfaction with his performance.
Service Technique Adjustments
Sinner has implemented changes to his service technique, which he identified as an area for improvement following his US Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz. Key adjustments include:
- A lower ball toss, closer to his body.
- A slower initial rhythm in the motion.
- The toss position is now more back and over the head.
- His first-serve percentage has been consistently high, and his serve is rated among the best on the tour based on several key metrics.
Game Variety
Sinner is also focused on incorporating more variety into his gameplay, specifically the drop shot. He demonstrated this during the match, executing a drop shot that led to a point.
Upcoming Match
Sinner will advance to face Australia's James Duckworth in the second round of the tournament. Djokovic also commented on Alcaraz's serve being similar to his own.