The Foro Italico erupted with excitement on Monday, May 12, as world number 1 Jannik Sinner faced Dutchman Jesper De Jong in the third round of the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome. In a commanding performance, the Italian won 6-4, 6-2 in 1 hour and 40 minutes, securing his place in the round of 16. The match, marked by moments of tension such as De Jong’s wrist injury, showcased Sinner’s ability to stay composed under pressure. The Italian crowd, packing the Campo Centrale, celebrated every point from the 23-year-old, who is chasing his first home title.
Sinner took the court carrying the weight of being the favorite and the expectations of a passionate crowd. After a three-month suspension due to a doping issue, the Italian proved he is in top form. De Jong, ranked 93rd, surprised by reaching the third round as a lucky loser but couldn’t mount consistent resistance against the ATP leader. The win sets up Sinner for a clash with Francisco Cerundolo in the round of 16, a matchup promising heightened competition.
The match started evenly, with De Jong holding serve and saving two break points in the opening game. Sinner, however, soon found his rhythm, using his powerful groundstrokes to pressure his opponent. Key moments of the match include:
- Competitive first set: Sinner broke De Jong’s serve in the fifth game, but the Dutchman responded with a counter-break, leveling at 4-4.
- De Jong’s injury: In the second set, a fall left the Dutchman with wrist pain, requiring medical attention.
- Sinner’s dominance: After the medical timeout, Sinner capitalized on his opponent’s vulnerability and closed out the match decisively.
Sinner’s performance reinforces his status as a top contender for the title on Italian clay, where he has yet to claim a trophy.
Triumphant return to Foro Italico
Jannik Sinner returned to the courts in Rome after a turbulent period. His last official match before the tournament was his Australian Open victory in January 2025. The three-month suspension, stemming from a positive test for clostebol, sparked debates in the tennis world, but the Italian appears determined to move past the episode. Against De Jong, he displayed aggressive tennis, with 15 winners and only 12 unforced errors, numbers reflecting his consistency. The sold-out crowd roared with approval, creating an electric atmosphere at Campo Centrale.
The win over De Jong marks Sinner’s 22nd consecutive victory on the professional circuit, a streak that began after his loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Beijing final in 2024. Sinner, who isn’t defending points in Rome after missing last year’s edition due to tonsillitis, has a chance to widen his lead in the rankings. His preparation for the tournament included intense clay-court training with players like Jack Draper and Lorenzo Sonego, which seems to have honed his game for the slow conditions of Foro Italico.
Slow it down. Savor it. 🇮🇹#IBI25 | @atptour pic.twitter.com/1fQqf1TxYT
— Internazionali BNL d'Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 12, 2025
Head-to-head history
Sinner and De Jong had faced off once before, at the 2024 Australian Open, where the Italian won with a triple 6-2 in a straightforward match. At the time, Sinner was en route to his first Grand Slam title, while De Jong, then a qualifier, was trying to establish himself on the tour. In Rome, the Dutchman showed improvement, particularly after his upset win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the previous round. Despite this, the technical gap between the two was clear, with Sinner dominating rallies and targeting De Jong’s backhand with precision.
The lone prior encounter underscores Sinner’s favoritism, as he hasn’t dropped a set in either match. De Jong tried to mix up his game with drop shots and net approaches but couldn’t sustain the consistency needed against the world number 1. The Rome match, though more competitive than their previous clash, followed a similar script, with Sinner controlling the decisive points.
De Jong’s path to the third round
Jesper De Jong reached the third round of the Rome Masters 1000 as an unexpected contender. After losing in the qualifying round to Thiago Seyboth Wild, the Dutchman was repescaged as a lucky loser and seized the opportunity. In the first round, he defeated Alexander Shevchenko in straight sets, showing solidity on clay. The highlight, however, was his upset over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the 25th seed, by 6-0, 6-2, in a dominant performance that turned heads on the tour.
De Jong’s run in Rome marks the best performance of his career at this level. At 24, the Haarlem-born player has stood out for his resilience and ability to capitalize on unexpected opportunities. His campaign, however, was marred by a physical setback: a fall in the second set against Sinner, resulting in wrist pain, hindered his performance in the match’s final stages.
Physical challenges in the second set
The second set brought a moment of concern for Jesper De Jong. In the fifth game, with Sinner leading 3-2, the Dutchman fell while chasing a drop shot. The impact left him with pain in his right wrist, prompting a visit from the physiotherapist. After a three-minute medical timeout, De Jong returned with his wrist taped but appeared limited in mobility and confidence.
Despite the injury, De Jong managed to hold the next game, staying alive in the scoreline. However, his physical limitation became evident in subsequent points, with unforced errors piling up and an inability to match Sinner’s pace. The crowd, recognizing the underdog’s effort, applauded his grit, but the Italian exploited his opponent’s weakness to seal the victory.
Match statistics
Sinner’s win over De Jong was built on impressive numbers. The Italian finished the match with:
- 15 winners: Decisive shots showcasing his aggression.
- 12 unforced errors: A low count, reflecting his consistency.
- 3 service breaks: Two in the first set and one in the second, pivotal to the outcome.
- 80% of points won on first serve: A strong showing that ensured control in service games.
- 1 hour and 40 minutes: Total match time, with the second set shortened by De Jong’s injury.
De Jong, meanwhile, recorded 10 winners and 18 unforced errors, numbers highlighting his struggle to keep up with Sinner’s level. The Dutchman also faced issues on serve, winning just 62% of points on his first serve.
Crowd support and VIP presence
The Campo Centrale at Foro Italico was packed to cheer for Sinner, with the Italian crowd creating a soccer-stadium-like atmosphere. Banners, flags, and chants echoed throughout the match, especially during Sinner’s key points. The crowd’s energy has been a factor the player himself has acknowledged, noting the boost of playing at home.
In Sinner’s box, the presence of two Inter Milan players, Alessandro Bastoni and Joaquín Correa, drew attention. A lifelong AC Milan fan, Sinner has previously joked about the rivalry, but the appearance of the “rival” Inter players in his entourage underscored the support he receives from Italian sports figures. The interaction highlights Sinner’s status as a national icon at just 23.
Next opponent: Francisco Cerundolo
With the win over De Jong, Jannik Sinner advanced to the round of 16, where he will face Argentine Francisco Cerundolo. The world number 18 defeated Austria’s Sebastian Ofner 6-2, 6-4 in the third round, showing strong form on clay. Cerundolo, known for his consistency and powerful groundstrokes, will be a tougher test for Sinner, especially in the slow conditions of Foro Italico.
The two have met twice before, with Cerundolo winning both encounters in 2021, when Sinner was still climbing the rankings. The rivalry promises a tight match, with the Italian seeking his first win over the Argentine. The clash is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and Rai 2.
Tournament broadcast and coverage
The ATP Masters 1000 in Rome has extensive coverage in Brazil and Italy. In Brazil, the Sinner-De Jong match was aired on ESPN and the Star+ platform, with Portuguese narration and commentary. In Italy, the match was shown on free-to-air Rai 2, as well as pay-TV channels Sky Sport Uno and Sky Sport Tennis. The Tennis TV platform also provided live streaming for subscribers worldwide.
The tournament, featuring top names in men’s and women’s tennis, has drawn significant viewership. Alongside Sinner, other notable matches of the day included Matteo Berrettini versus Casper Ruud and Jasmine Paolini against Jelena Ostapenko in the women’s draw. Live coverage from Gazzetta dello Sport and other specialized outlets keeps fans updated with real-time results and insights.
Other highlights from the day in Rome
Monday at Foro Italico featured other significant matches. In the men’s draw, Francisco Cerundolo confirmed his favoritism against Sebastian Ofner, while Tommy Paul advanced after defeating Tomas Machac. In the women’s tournament, Jasmine Paolini made history as the first Italian since 2014 to reach the Rome quarterfinals, defeating Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 6-2.
The round also saw upsets, with several seeded players falling in tight matches. As the tournament nears the end of its first week, the competition promises even more intense battles as top players progress. Sinner, backed by the home crowd, remains the event’s biggest draw.
Sinner’s Rome trivia
Jannik Sinner has a special connection with the Rome Masters 1000, despite never winning the title. Some trivia about his journey in the tournament:
- Early debut: Sinner played his first Masters 1000 in Rome at 17 in 2019, defeating Steve Johnson in the first round.
- Best result: His deepest run was in 2020, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Grigor Dimitrov.
- Home support: As the only Italian in the top 10, Sinner is treated as a national star, with fans packing Foro Italico for his matches.
- Unbeaten streak: His win over De Jong marked his 12th consecutive victory in Masters 1000 events, a personal record.
Sinner’s Rome journey reflects his meteoric rise, cementing him as one of tennis’s biggest stars.
Italian clay conditions
The Foro Italico courts are known for their slow conditions, demanding patience and physical endurance. In 2025, the courts are even heavier due to recent rain in Rome, favoring players with strong fitness and rally consistency. Sinner, who trained extensively on clay in recent weeks, appears well-adapted, using his heavy forehand to control points.
De Jong, however, struggled with the court’s slowness, particularly after his wrist injury. The surface, which requires more movement and point construction, exposed the Dutchman’s limitations against an opponent as solid as Sinner. The clay conditions will remain a key factor in upcoming rounds, especially against players like Cerundolo, who thrives on the surface.
Tournament’s importance for Sinner
The Rome Masters 1000 is one of the circuit’s most prestigious events, serving as the final major clay tournament before Roland Garros. For Sinner, winning at home would be a career milestone, especially after his time away from competition. The Italian, who has already won the Australian Open and reached the ATP Finals final, sees Rome as a chance to solidify his world number 1 status.
The event also serves as preparation for the Parisian Grand Slam starting in late May. Sinner, who reached the Roland Garros semifinals in 2024, knows a strong Rome campaign can boost his confidence on clay. His win over De Jong is a crucial step, but tougher challenges await in the coming rounds.
Jesper De Jong’s profile
Born in Haarlem, Netherlands, Jesper De Jong is a rising talent on the tour. At 24, he is still working to break into the top 50, but his Rome performance highlights his potential. With a game built on consistency and movement, De Jong stunned Davidovich Fokina but struggled against elite players like Sinner.
De Jong, who started playing tennis at six, had his breakout season in 2024, reaching the third round of Roland Garros, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz. His Rome run, as a lucky loser, was a chance to gain high-level experience, despite the loss to Sinner. De Jong now prepares for the hard-court season, aiming to continue his growth.
