Jannik Sinner makes triumphant return from doping ban at Italian Open: ‘It is a particular feeling’

Jannik Sinner made no mistake on his return to tennis on Saturday after a three-month doping ban, sweeping apart Mariano Navone in straight units 6-3, 6-4 on the Italian Open in entrance of thrilled followers in Rome.

World primary Sinner cruised previous Argentina’s Navone in a single hour and 39 minutes in entrance of over 10,000 supporters on the Foro Italico to arrange a third-round conflict with fortunate loser Jesper de Jong.

The Italian had not performed since successful the Australian Open in January because of the suspension he accepted from the World Anti-Doping Company (WADA) the next month.

He twice examined optimistic for traces of banned substance clostebol in March final yr, though WADA accepted that the 23-year-old had been by chance contaminated by his physiotherapist.

And Sinner delighted a partisan and packed centre court docket within the Italian capital, shaking off the cobwebs as he eyes a run at Roland Garros later this month.

“I attempted to present every part I’ve, you already know, I feel that’s the one factor I can do. That’s the one factor I can management proper now.” mentioned Sinner.

“It’s a tremendous feeling. It’s a particular feeling. I by no means take issues granted. And yeah, I’m simply glad to be again.”

Choosing up the place he left off 👌@janniksin defeats Navone 6-3 6-4 in his first match since January, extending his successful streak to 22#IBI25 pic.twitter.com/0D8pSMNLW2

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) Could 10, 2025

The three-time Grand Slam winner’s final clay court docket match was his epic semi-final defeat to rival Carlos Alcaraz ultimately yr’s French Open, and whereas the gang matched such an enormous event on Saturday, the tennis didn’t.

Alcaraz was a brief stroll away on the Stadio Olimpico to observe his footballer pal Patric play for Lazio whereas Sinner took on world quantity 99 Navone.

And the Spaniard, who faces Laslo Djere on Sunday night time, wouldn’t have been shocked to listen to that Sinner handled Navone in a perfunctory, unflashy method to start his comeback in fashion.

It was an excellent day for Italian followers who additionally watched Rome-born Matteo Berrettini beat Jacob Fearnley in straight units, 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) in his first match at his dwelling match in 4 years.

Former Wimbledon finalist Berrettini, who withdrew from the Madrid Open with the newest in an extended line of belly accidents, will face Madrid champion Casper Ruud within the third spherical with the Norwegian beating Alexander Bublik 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

Ladies’s sixth seed Jasmine Paolini made it a hat-trick of Italian wins by sweeping apart Ons Jabeur in straight units to arrange a final 16 conflict with Jelena Ostapenko.

Elsewhere within the males’s draw Andrey Rublev was dumped out on the first try by Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan, whereas fourth seed Taylor Fritz additionally exited after happening 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3) to fellow American Marcos Giron.

Swiatek stoop

Iga Swiatek didn’t get previous the third spherical in her bid for a fourth Rome title, an uncharacteristically unhealthy show in opposition to Danielle Collins ending in a 6-1, 7-5 defeat.

World quantity two Swiatek was barely recognisable from the participant who has gained 4 French Open titles, being damaged 4 instances within the first set and failing to impose herself in any respect on unfancied Collins, in opposition to whom she had beforehand gained eight of 9 conferences.

“I’m doing one thing mistaken. So I want to simply regroup and type change some stuff,” Swiatek advised reporters.

Veteran Collins, 31, will now face Elina Svitolina within the final 16 because the world quantity 35 hunts an unlikely second WTA 1000 title after successful in Miami final yr.

Swiatek’s early exit is a significant shock and one other worrying signal for the Pole forward of Roland Garros as she was additionally thrashed in straight units by Coco Gauff within the semi-finals of the Madrid Open earlier this month.

The 23-year-old’s elimination opens up her aspect of the ladies’s draw with Naomi Osaka, who might have been her opponent within the quarter-finals, dealing with fifth seed Madison Keys within the final 16 after beating Marie Bouzkova 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.