Jannik Sinner makes light work of Jiri Lehecka at French Open
The world number one, who only returned from a three-month doping ban three weeks ago, raced into the fourth round in just 94 minutes.
Sinner won the first 11 games against Czech Jiri Lehecka on his way to a commanding 6-0 6-1 6-2 victory.
'This morning I said to my team I'm feeling well and physically ready,' said the Italian.
'We had to go hard in the beginning because the beginning in grand slams is very important for confidence. I warmed up well, I felt very good so after 20-25 minutes I was feeling brave.
'My team gave me the right tactics, I tried to play them in the match so it's a combination of also being happy on court – it's very important.
'After today I don't think there's much I can improve but every opponent is different.'
Sinner will meet Russian 17th seed Andrey Rublev on Monday.
Meanwhile, Frenchman Arthur Fils has revealed he won a five-set match on Thursday despite having a stress fracture in his back.
The 20-year-old 14th seed, who beat Jaume Munar in a marathon match lasting four and a half hours, has been forced to withdraw from the tournament.
He said: 'I had some issue with the back for a long time, and during the match against Munar it got worse.
'Then I did some examinations. They were not good at all. I've got some stress fracture.'
Fils was unsure whether he will be fit enough in time to compete at Wimbledon.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
38 minutes ago
- Daily Record
How Rangers takeover impacts Celtic as Monday Jury predict Dermot Desmond reaction
Rangers are under new ownership - but should that worry Celtic? KEITH JACKSON: It's certainly something they'll be keeping an eye on. But the champions are in a strong position with bags of cash in the bank, an elite manager and a squad which has become a trophy winning machine. Dermot Desmond will plan on keeping it that way. ANDY NEWPORT: Worried? No. But they should be taking note. Rangers have been a shambles on and off the pitch for a generation. Now there is scope for major improvements but Celtic are a long way ahead. If the Hoops continue moving forward the job of catching them will only be harder for the new Ibrox regime. MICHAEL GANNON: It shouldn't worry Celtic. It should be welcomed. The lack of a proper challenge has led to things going a tad stale on the home front. This should sharpen the senses in the long term. CRAIG SWAN: Celtic have to worry about themselves and not what anyone else is doing. If they strengthen again, they are still the team to beat. Davide Ancelotti or Russell Martin, who will excite the Ibrox faithful most as boss? KEITH: Ancelotti is the clear fans' favourite even though the Italian hasn't got a single game under his managerial belt. There's a bit of stardust about his background and family name while Martin is still recovering from a disastrous season in the Premier League at Southampton. ANDY: Ancelotti likely but let's be honest, hiring the Italian is as much a risk as taking on guy who has just been punted from one of the Premier League's worst ever teams. The Ibrox faithful have every right to question why the new owners have not pursued more experienced operators with better track records. MICHAEL: Rangers fans will lean towards Ancelotti because of his background but Martin might be the better fit to cope with the demands of the domestic game, which is where Gers need to get their act together. CRAIG: Hard to speak on behalf of the Rangers fanbase. It's an individual thing. You'd guess Ancelotti due to his dad, but best ask the punters. Rangers are preparing for an overhaul this summer but do you expect much change to the Celtic squad? KEITH: Brendan Rodgers was already looking to raise the bar again this summer before the Americans came to town. A new striker, at least one winger, a midfielder and centre half will be on his wish list. The changes across the city might mean he's given more money to recruit them than he had originally anticipated. ANDY: They certainly need reinforcements, even if it's just to stave off a staleness creeping into Rodgers' group. A new centre-forward is the priority but they also need additions out wide, in midfield and in the centre of defence. A successor for Kasper Schmeichel wouldn't go amiss either. MICHAEL: It could be a big summer. Celtic need three or four in minimum but there's a feeling one or two big hitters might go and that will mean a bigger rebuilding job. CRAIG: Celtic will freshen up, no doubt. Brendan Rodgers has key areas to address and that work will have started long ago, regardless of what is happening at Ibrox. Kieran Tierney being a case in point. Ross County are standing by Don Cowie despite being relegated to the Championship - do you expect to see the Staggies bouncing back at the first attempt? KEITH: Good on them for sticking with Cowie. They'll have their work cut out trying to get straight back up next season but will probably have the biggest budget in the second tier. That should put them in pole position for promotion. ANDY: Roy MacGregor isn't shy to open the purse strings when cash is required and I expect to see the County chairman backing Cowie with the funds required to build a promotion-winning team. MICHAEL: County will be favourites to win promotion as Cowie will get backed in the transfer market. It's a tough league to escape though and the likes of Dunfermline, Ayr, Raith Rovers and Patrick Thistle will be pushing.
Daily Mirror
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Scott McTominay's first coach reveals where Man Utd went wrong with Napoli star
Scott McTominay won Serie A with Napoli and established himself as a club hero in Italy under Antonio Conte after completing a move from Manchester United less than 12 months ago Scott McTominay is thriving at Napoli because of the faith placed in him by Antonio Conte says his first Manchester United coach. The Scotland international has become a hero in the south of Italy after helping Napoli to win Serie A in his debut season. McTominay joined the Italian giants last summer in a £26million deal to depart Old Trafford after 22 years. And the 28-year-old hit the ground running to scored 13 goals on the way to the title, including six goals in the final seven games of the campaign. Ex-United boss Erik ten Hag did not want to see McTominay exit the club last summer but the midfielder has clearly taken on a more prominent role at his new club. McTominay started 33 of 34 league games he appeared in this term in contrast to 18 of 34 in 2023/24 at United. Charlie Jackson, founder of Matrix Soccer Academy and McTominay's first coach at United, believes the trust placed in him has been pivotal to the Scot's success. The coach, who has also worked with Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton and Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson, reckons Jose Mourinho is the other figure to have inspired McTominay to such a degree. Jackson, who describes McTominay as 'tenaciouos' and eager to learn as a child, believes the Serie A superstar thrives when provided with support. "Jose was just fantastic for him," Jackson told the Sun."Gave him his debut, looked after him. Scott always works off confidence and a pat on the back. "If you believe in him, he'll run over coals for you. Conte's done that. Mourinho did that as well.' Jackson believes McTominay will continue to improve and show he is worthy of being labelled as world class. "The best is yet to come for him," he said. "I don't think you've seen anything yet. I used to say to his dad Frank, 'He'll never be looked at as world class and it's a shame but he should be because he is'. "He had success with Man United but to go and do what he's now done . . . and there is much, much more to come. That's the biggest thing that I can say about him — it's just the tip of the iceberg, honestly.' And Jackson believes McTominay's talents have been present right from the beginning. Coaching the star when he was still just five years old, was under no illusion that the Napoli ace would make it to the very top. He said: "There were no video phones in those days but I wish we could have filmed him as you'd have seen a special player. I've got his first shirt, his first training shirt and his first football — that we've got in a glass case — because you knew. You just knew.'
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Sesko talks held and price quoted as Arsenal lead Man Utd in race for defender
Arsenal continue their pursuit of a new striker as they begin negotiations for Benjamin Sesko whilst their Premier League rivals are battling them for some of their other targets Arsenal are set for a massive summer if they want to take the final step and become Premier League champions following a third straight second place finish. Mikel Arteta was left to rue Liverpool's title charge, but the issues within the team are obvious. The Gunners' priority will be on adding a No 9, which they've been unable to land in recent summers. Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres have emerged as their two leading targets, but neither will come cheap. Sesko's club RB Leipzig have shown themselves willing to sell their top stars, as have Gyokeres' employers Sporting Lisbon. Although their club chief has underlined their desire to retain the Swede after winning the Portuguese title. Arsenal are thought to be closing in on the signing of Martin Zubimendi, who will join from Real Sociedad. Zubimendi is set to cost just over £50million with more business expected at the Emirates. Here's the latest rumours from the north London. Sesko talks held Arsenal have opened talks with Leipzig over a deal to sign Sesko. The Daily Mail understands that Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta has held talks with the German club's chief Marcel Schafer. It has emerged that the Bundesliga side want an initial £75m fee for the 22-year-old, who scored 13 times last term, and is tipped as a star of the future. He is one of several striker's being considered by the club, who accept that this summer has to be the window when they land a prolific frontman. Kai Havertz was Arsenal's top scorer in the Premier League with just nine strikes. Only two teams - including relegated Southampton - had a top scorer who netted fewer times. Arteta leading race for Italian teen Arsenal are thought to be in pole position to beat Manchester United as they both look to land Giovanni Leoni. The defender has been making quite an impression due to his performances for Parma in Serie A. Leoni appears to have a number of admirers in the Premier League with the Gunners and the Red Devils among them. FootballTransfers now report that those from north London have moved ahead of their rivals in the race for the Italian Under-19 international after talks were held. The biggest potential hurdle for Arsenal is that a number of top Italian clubs also want Leoni this summer, which could prove a problem for Arteta and co if they teenager wants to remain in his homeland. Tottenham rival Gunners in Sane talks Arsenal and Tottenham are both in talks over a potential deal for Leroy Sane. The ex-Man City winger is out of contract at Bayern Munich later this month and has yet to agree an extension despite the Bundesliga champions wanting to seal a new agreement until 2028. Sane is being heavily linked with a return to the Premier League and Bild claims that his agent Pini Zahavi has been in discussions with both Arsenal and Tottenham. The German has delivered inconsistently throughout his time at the Allianz Arena, but was a big hit in England. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
