Jannik Sinner sent a strong message to his rivals at the 2025 French Open with a stunning 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Russia’s Andrey Rublev in the men’s singles last 16. The Italian, who made his return to competitive tennis in May following a three-month doping suspension, showed no signs of rust as he dispatched Rublev in commanding fashion at Court Philippe-Chatrier on Monday evening.
“I’m very happy to finish it in three,” Sinner remarked, after wrapping up the match in straight sets. “These night sessions in Paris are very special. Things can go very quickly in a bad way, especially in a best-of-five match; it can go on for so long.”
Despite Rublev being a 10-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist, the Russian, seeded 17th, posed little resistance as Sinner surged to a dominant victory. The 23-year-old Italian showcased his precision and power, firing five aces and 25 winners, while displaying an unshakable mental focus throughout the match.
Sinner’s performance was a welcome redemption after his painful retirement in the 2022 Roland Garros round of 16, where he was forced to withdraw with injury against the same opponent. The world number one, who is chasing a third consecutive Grand Slam title following his triumph at the US Open and his second Australian Open victory in January, next faces Kazakh unseeded Alexander Bublik in the quarter-finals.
“I’ve played Bublik three times and won three, but the last one I lost,” Sinner noted, referencing their most recent meeting in 2023 on grass in Halle. He will be keen to extend his dominance against the 26-year-old Kazakh, who has shown flashes of brilliance in Paris but remains an underdog in the upcoming clash.
Rublev Left Scrambling for Answers
For Rublev, the loss marked a missed opportunity to advance further at the French Open. After failing to capitalize on two break points in the opening game, the Russian never found his rhythm, with Sinner consistently breaking his serve and securing the match in less than two hours.
“Inside there’s a storm going on, but tennis is a very mental game and you don’t want to show anything to your opponent,” Sinner added, speaking about his composed demeanor throughout the contest.
Despite Rublev’s attempt to rally in the third set, his only break point was squandered, allowing Sinner to march confidently toward victory. The Italian sealed the match when a Rublev forehand clipped the net and spun wide, sending the top seed into the next round with ease.
Looking Ahead
Sinner’s quarter-final against Bublik promises to be a thrilling encounter, and with his confidence soaring, the young Italian will be looking to continue his dream run toward the title. As one of the hottest prospects in men’s tennis, Sinner’s victory over Rublev adds to his growing legacy at the French Open, where he will aim to capture his first Roland Garros title.