Rafael Nadal overcame his first real test at this year’s Roland Garros, beating 19 year-old Jannik Sinner 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-1 to reach the Roland Garros semi-final for a record-extending 13th time. After a chaotic day on Court Philippe-Chatrier with five matches scheduled, the 1.26am finish marked the latest ever night at Roland Garros.
Although Sinner’s name has been swirling in tennis circles for a while, his inexperience is still clear. This meeting marked just his sixth match against a top 10 opponent and his first against a member of the big three. While most young players usually have the opportunity to first test their strength against one of the elite at smaller events or in the early rounds of a slam, Sinner was immediately beckoned into Nadal’s arena.