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Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner battled through physical fatigue and a resilient opponent to secure a spot in the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-finals on Thursday.
After a dominant opening set, the Italian’s record streak of 36 consecutive sets at the 1000-level was snapped by a spirited Tomas Machac, who forced and won a second-set tiebreak.
Despite visibly struggling with his energy levels and frequently checking his back, Sinner relied on his experience to navigate a tense third set, eventually winning 6-1, 6-7, 6-3.
The match was characterised by Machac’s unpredictable play, which swung between brilliant winners and costly unforced errors.
The Czech player’s momentum faltered in the final set when a series of wild shots handed Sinner a crucial break.
Even after Machac called for a medical timeout to treat his arm, Sinner remained composed, closing out the two-hour contest with a break to love.
The world number one expressed a need for quick recovery before his next match against Felix Auger-Aliassime, who advanced after Casper Ruud retired.
In a standout performance earlier in the day, 19-year-old Joao Fonseca made history by becoming the youngest Monte Carlo quarter-finalist since 2005.
The Brazilian teenager delivered a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over Matteo Berrettini, showcasing a high-pressure returning game and steady serving.
Fonseca’s milestone achievement sets up an intriguing last-eight clash with Alexander Zverev, who moved forward with a straight-sets win over Zizou Bergs.
