Italian tennis sensation Jannik Sinner won his first ATP 500 trophy by defeating Mackenzie McDonald at the Citi Open in Washington. Sinne entered this match as a heavy favourite not only due to his form and overall status as a more established player but also because McDonald played his first final. Some early nerves showed for McDonald who was down 1-3 early.
The American however would find ways to counter the ultra-aggressive playstyle that the Italian usually employs. Sinner held his held until 5-3 when he served for the set but McDonald broke him to make it 5-4. The American then barely won his service game to make it 5-5.
In the end, Sinner escaped with set 7-5 after using only 3 of 14 break points he had. McDonald hit his first serve only 55 % of the time which allowed Sinner to exploit his weaker 2nd serve.
Sinner had a great chance to finish the match in two sets but after failing to convert break points he lost his serve giving McDonald the lead. The American closed out the set with 6-4.
That loss pulled Sinner back to reality and the Italian came out focused jn the 3rd. He took a 3-0 lead but failed to hold onto it. In the end Sinner closed it out with 7-5.