ROME — Following an espera de más de 100 días,


Jannik Sinner


Still knows how to secure victory in a tennis match.

The top-ranked player made a solid return from his


three-month doping ban


By defeating the 99th-ranked player Mariano Navone with scores of 6-3, 6-4, he advanced.


an adoring home crowd


At the Italian Open on Saturday.

It was Sinner’s first match since he won his third Grand Slam title at the


Australian Open


in January.

An incredible sensation. I’ve been waiting a considerable time for this moment,” Sinner stated. “I’m extremely pleased to return.

There were not many indications of rustiness, and soon enough, Sinner began to aggressively pound his shots right on or close to the sidelines. When the Italian secured a break for a 3-1 lead in the opening set, those within Campo Centrale chanted “Ole, ole, ole, Sin-ner, Sin-ner.”

Many fans in the soldout crowd of 10,500 were dressed in orange, Sinner’s theme color. And there were plenty of signs that said “Bentornato Jannik” (“Welcome back Jannik”).

This win increased Sinner’s winning streak to 22 matches, which started from October.

It was going really well at times,” he stated. “It could have been better, sure, but regardless, the outcome today isn’t important. This day has still been quite extraordinary for me.

In February, Sinner agreed to the three-month ban in a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency that


raised some questions


, since it conveniently allowed him not to miss any Grand Slams and come back at his home tournament.

The settlement was made after WADA appealed a decision last year by the


International Tennis Integrity Agency


to fully exonerate Sinner for what it


considered to be an unintentional contamination


by


a banned anabolic steroid


in March 2024.

numerous professional peers believe Sinner received overly lenient treatment.

However, the audience at the Foro Italico evening session wholeheartedly supported Sinner, who continues to be Italy’s most beloved sports figure even with his suspension.

When Sinner executed a precise backhand shot down the line early in the first set – the same game where he ultimately broke Navone’s serve – an enthusiastic supporter shouted, “Take him apart.”

Another sign in the crowd translated to “Make our hearts beat.” One more referred to this week’s


selection of a new pontiff


Just down the street at the Vatican, they were jesting about “Habemus Papam!” after three months of conclave — employing the Latin phrase traditionally declared from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica upon the election of a new pope.

The audience was amazing,” Sinner stated. “They consistently provide me with the power to keep going, even during challenging periods. Therefore, it turned out to be an exceptionally special moment.

His only real lapse came late in the second set when he failed to consolidate a break and dropped his serve. But he broke again in the next game and then served the match out.

Sinner hit twice as many winners as Navone, 21-10; but had more unforced errors, 24-19.

“It’s very difficult to have the right feedback when you don’t have any matches,” Sinner said. “But exactly that’s what I need. Now I think the best practice is the match itself.”

Sinner will next face 93rd-ranked Dutch qualifier Jesper De Jong, who beat 25th-seeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-0, 6-2.

The last Italian man to win the Rome title was Adriano Panatta in 1976.

Swiatek loses to Collins

In the women’s tournament, three-time winner Iga Swiatek was defeated by Danielle Collins with scores of 6-1, 7-5. This third-round setback represented Swiatek’s quickest exit from a significant WTA event in almost four years.

Swiatek, who dominates the women’s circuit on clay courts, recently suffered a decisive defeat against Coco Gauff in the Madrid Open semifinals. She now has 15 days to regain her form before the French Open begins on May 25.

Swiatek has claimed four out of her five Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros.