After struggling with injuries at the end of 2022 and an unlucky start to the 2023 season, Jannik Sinner reached his first ATP final since July last year.
Back then, it resulted in a win over Carlos Alcaraz for the young Italian, who lifted a title in Umag. This time, he can meet another youngster in the final, the first-seeded at the 2023 Montpellier Open, Holger Rune.
After bye in the first round, and Fucsovics' withdrawal in the second, the Italian defeated compatriot Lorenzo Sonego in the quarterfinals, to set up semifinal clash with Arthur Fils, who played sensational tennis in Montpellier.
The 18-year-old Frenchman defeated Richard Gasquet, Roberto Bautista Agut and Quentin Halys en route to his first ATP-level semifinal, but he was ultimately stopped by the second-seeded Italian.
In the first set, Sinner faced a couple of set points in the tenth game. But world no. 17 managed to recover and break in the very next game to turn the set around and win it 7-5.
Sinner increased the intensity in the second set, and after using two out of three break points that he had, he jumped into a 4-0 lead that he would never lose.
After an hour and 35 minutes, the Italian won 7-5, 6-2 to reach the final of the 2023 Montpellier Open. He can also expect to move up in the ATP Rankings, as he's projected to be at least 15th and win in the final would guarantee 14th spot.
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