Melbourne, Australia – Jannik Sinner, the World No. 1 and defending Australian Open champion, made a dominant start to his 2025 campaign on Monday, securing a spot in the second round with a hard-fought victory over Chile’s Nicolas Jarry. Despite facing a doping scandal earlier this year, Sinner showed no signs of distraction, powering through the match 7-6(2), 7-6(5), 6-1.
A Strong Performance Despite Controversy
The Italian star, fresh off a sensational 2024 that saw him rise to the top of the men’s tennis rankings, was welcomed warmly by the Melbourne crowd. The audience showed no sign of animosity toward Sinner, who had recently been involved in a doping controversy. Last week, the Court of Arbitration for Sport announced it would hear an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over his case, where Sinner tested positive for the banned steroid clostebol. However, the International Tennis Integrity Agency exonerated him, accepting his explanation that the substance had entered his system through a physio’s treatment.
Despite this, Sinner’s focus was on the court, where he continued his blistering form. “It was a close match early on,” Sinner said. “But when I broke for the first time in the third set, I felt like I could breathe easier. I’m happy with how I handled the tough situations.”
Key Stats:
| Stat | Jannik Sinner | Nicolas Jarry |
|---|---|---|
| Match Score | 7-6(2), 7-6(5), 6-1 | |
| Aces | 8 | 10 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 5 |
| First Serve % | 67% | 60% |
| Break Points Saved | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Sinner’s serve was on point, hitting 8 aces and holding steady in both tiebreaks to seal the victory. Jarry, known for his powerful serve and groundstrokes, made things competitive in the first two sets, but ultimately faltered in the third, where Sinner surged to a 3-0 lead and never looked back.
Looking Ahead: A Tough Path to Defend His Title
Next up for Sinner is Australian wildcard Tristan Schoolkate. The top seed could face stiff competition from Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals and potentially Daniil Medvedev in the semis, both of whom are in strong form.
Sinner’s remarkable 2024 season, which saw him win the US Open, ATP Finals, and the Australian Open, capped off with an undefeated run in straight sets—a feat not achieved since Roger Federer in 2005—has set the stage for what could be another thrilling year.
