Sinner Surges Into Umag Semi-Finals

Despite some spectacular performances in 2022, Jannik Sinner had been yet to reach a semi-final on the ATP Tour this year. On Friday, at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag, the #NextGenATP Italian set that record straight.

The second seed overcame a stiff test from Roberto Carballes Baena to prevail 6-4, 7-6(5) and reach the last four at the clay-court ATP 250 event. Sinner held his nerve in the second-set tie-break after failing to serve out for victory at 6-5 against the admirably persistent World No. 86 Carballes Baena.

“I’m very happy, obviously,” said Sinner after his quarter-final win, which improved his match record for the year to 33-9. “I’ve won many matches, but I think I’ve had some unfortunate moments this year. But here I am, the first semi-final of the year, and hopefully I can show some good tennis also in the next round.”

Friday’s matchup with Carballes Baena was Sinner’s seventh quarter-final of the year. His two-hour, 18-minute win moved the Italian within two wins of his sixth ATP Tour title, and his first since Antwerp last October.

Although he has not yet lifted a trophy in 2022, the 20-year-old Sinner has been a consistent performer this season. He reached the last eight at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, as well as at the ATP Masters 1000 events in Miami, Monte Carlo and Rome.

Sinner will take on countryman Franco Agamenone in the semi-finals in Umag, after the unseeded 29-year-old earlier raced past 2018 champion Marco Cecchinato 6-2, 6-1.