Jannik Sinner overcame his toughest challenge so far at the Rome Open, defeating an inspired Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(2), 6-3. This will be Sinner's second appearance in the Italian Open quarterfinals,

Jannik Sinner came through the first true test of his comeback from a doping ban with Tuesday's straight-sets win over Francisco Cerundolo which took the world number one into the Italian Open quarter-finals.

I need this,” the world No. 1 said of the tough run Francisco Cerundolo gave him in Rome. “Today I felt I raised my level.”

Jannik has kept Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz behind despite missing three months of action and four Masters 1000 events. Thus, he will celebrate a notable milestone next week.

ROME—Jannik Sinner says it’s “a good thing for us tennis players” that the new pope likes to play the sport. Even if Leo XIV jokingly said he wouldn’t want to arrange a game with the top-ranked player—ostensibly because of his name.

Italy’s Jannik Sinner serves the ball to Netherlands’ Jesper De Jong during their tennis match at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Italy’s Jannik Sinner returns the ball to Netherlands’ Jesper De Jong during their tennis match at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico,