Tennis No. 1 ‘punched in the face’ by Italian Open opponent but still reaches final

Jannik Sinner downplayed injury concerns as he overcame a blistering start from Tommy Paul to reach the Italian Open final.

Sinner, who breezed past Casper Ruud 6-0, 6-1 in the quarter-finals, was left stunned as Paul came flying out of the gates.

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The Italian overcame a sluggish start against PaulCredit: GettyBut the Italian eventually clicked back into gear to beat Paul 1-6, 6-0, 6-3.

The dropped set against Paul was Sinner’s first of the Italian Open, as the American raced out to a 5-0 lead.

Sinner didn’t help himself either as he recorded just two winners and a whopping 13 errors in the first set.

Speaking after the match, Sinner did not mince his words about Paul’s early dominance.

Read more tennis news”That was a straight punch to my face,” Sinner said.

However, Sinner quickly issued a timely reminder why he is the world No. 1.

The 23-year-old won 13 of the next 17 games to overcome Paul in one hour and 44 minutes.

By beating Paul, Sinner became the first Italian man to reach the final in Rome since 1978.

There were also fears Sinner would be going into the final against Carlos Alcaraz under an injury cloud.

In the third set, there were a handful of moments when Sinner appeared to clutch at his right hamstring as his movement slowed.

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Sinner is aiming to become the first Italian to win the Italian Open singles since 1985Credit: GettyBut the three-time grand slam champion was quick to allay fears over any injuries and insisted the issue stemmed from a blister he picked up earlier in the tournament.

“Since the third round I have a small blister under my feet which doesn’t allow me that well to move at some moments,” Sinner said.

“Today I felt it more than yesterday, and it’s connected with that. Likewise, I am not concerned. Just a bit tight.

“It’s normal but I have to take care of this blister. There are no excuses.

“With the adrenaline, there is going to be a lot of energy on Sunday and I am 100 per cent not concerned.”

The meeting between Sinner and Alcaraz in the final will be the first between the pair this year.

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Alacaraz has beaten Sinner on six occasions from the ten times they’ve playedCredit: GettyAlcaraz had Sinner’s number last season as he won all three contests between the two.

But Sinner goes into the final brimming with confidence and riding a 26-match winning streak across five tournaments.

“I feel like we both know how to play against each other a little bit, so we have to be prepared tactically,” Sinner said.

“Of course, small things are going to be changed, but it’s just a great test for me to see where I am.

Read More on talkSPORT”It’s great for me to play against Carlos before the two Grand Slams. That for me is good because I see where I have to improve, what I have to do better. Hopefully it’s going to be a good match. I feel like this is the most important part.

“In any case, what’s coming out Sunday, a great tournament from my side, making such a run here, it feels good.”