French Open: Jannik Sinner continues perfect run at Roland Garros with Pavel Kotov win

World number two Jannik Sinner cruised into the fourth round of the French Open with a commanding 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Russian Pavel Kotov in Paris on Friday. The Australian Open champion showcased his dominance in a match where he faced only one break point, underlining his status as a top contender. Despite the chilly conditions at Roland Garros, which saw Sinner don a long-sleeve undershirt, the Italian maintained his composure and control throughout the encounter. Kotov, who had hoped to continue his giant-killing run after eliminating former Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in the previous round, started energetically. However, Sinner quickly proved to be on another level, taking the first set with a decisive break.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with Sinner securing an early break to put himself in a commanding position. Kotov struggled to find answers to Sinner’s consistent and powerful play. The third set mirrored the previous two, as Sinner broke early once again and maintained his lead, ultimately sealing the match with an ace. This victory sets up a fourth-round clash for Sinner against either Austrian Sebastian Ofner or Frenchman Corentin Moutet, promising an exciting contest ahead. Notably, Sinner had also defeated Kotov in straight sets at the Madrid Masters in April, further demonstrating his dominance over the Russian.

“It was very different, I just tried to stay very focused on my game. Thanks for the support, it’s amazing to play on this court,” Sinner said on court Philippe Chatrier, where the stands gradually filled up after lunchtime.