NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD Jannik Sinner has clinched his second title at the Citi Open in Washington D.C., taking down first-time finalist and American Mackenzie McDonald in a hard-fought 7-5 4-6 7-5 battle. The Italian is the first teenager to win an ATP 500 event since the category’s inception in 2009, and the first from his nation to claim the title.

Sinner required almost three hours to take out the trophy credit to McDonald’s second set comeback, as the American fired up under pressure to take the clash to three sets. Sinner fired on all cylinders though, serving up nine aces throughout as he claimed a 72 per cent winning rate (39 of 54) off a 50 per cent clip (54 of 107), saved seven of 11 break points and converted five – just one more than McDonald.

To the American’s credit though, McDonald was much more effective on serve, winning 66 per cent of his first serve points (52 of 79) off a 63 per cent clip (79 of 125), but was less efficient as Sinner’s consistency helped him to secure an advantage throughout. With a home crowd behind him, McDonald stole away the second set to force a decider before Sinner worked his way back, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the third set before the American got back into the contest.

Despite Sinner holding a 5-2 advantage midway through the third and looking for all intents and circumstances in control, McDonald came bounding back in with his aggressive game to force a tight finish to the match, before succumbing to Sinner’s 7-5 4-6 7-5 result.

CITI OPEN FINAL RESULT:

[5] Jannik Sinner (ITA) defeated Mackenzie McDonald (USA) 7-5 4-6 7-5

Picture credit: Christopher Levy