Terence Atmane learned two things about Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open. One is that the Italian doesn't lose on hard courts. The other is that Sinner doesn't lose to players ranked outside the top 20 on the ATP tour.
Since the beginning of 2024, Sinner has lost once to someone ranked 20 or lower. He hasn't lost a match on a hard court since the final of the China Open in early October 2024. Still, Atmane has nothing to feel bad about after his loss to the ATP No. 1.
The 23-year-old Frenchman had a career record of 5-14 entering the Cincinnati Masters. Sinner has only lost five matches since last summer. But Atmane hung in against the Italian, forcing the match to a first-set tie break in which Sinner won 7-4.
Jannik Sinner defeats Terence Atmane to move into the final of the Cincinnati Open
Atmane had six aces and just one double fault while winning 86 percent of his first serves against one of the better returners in tennis. He was playing confidently, and as if he belonged on such a grand stage with a player who has won four of the past six Grand Slams. The Frenchman will only get better from the experience, and could eventually challenge Sinner in higher-end matches.
The problem in the first set was that Sinner was masterful on his first serve. He lost just one point after landing 21 first serves. Neither player faced a break point.
The second set saw a dip saw a dip from both players, but the difference between Jannik Sinner and nearly any other player on tour is that the form he displays even when he dips could beat most players' best.
The Cinderella story of Atmane came to an end as he was broken twice in set two against Sinner. Though the Italian landed only 52 percent of his first serves, he still did not face a break point in winning the second set 6-2.
Sinner, whose 24th birthday was also on Saturday, will next play the winner of the Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev match. The final will take place on Monday.