World No. 1 Jannik Sinner advanced to the last 16 of the Italian Open with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Jesper de Jong, marking his 23rd straight victory. Playing in front of a supportive home crowd in Rome, Sinner showed some rust after a three-month doping ban but ultimately dominated the match. The ban, tied to a positive test for clostebol in March 2024, was shortened after WADA found no intent to cheat. Sinner now faces 17th seed Francisco Cerundolo, who defeated him in the same round last year. A win would boost Sinner’s hopes of becoming the first Italian to win the men’s tournament since 1976.
