World No.1 Jannik Sinner raced through his first professional tennis match in three months after returning from suspension at the 2025 Rome Masters in Italy on Saturday.

The 23-year-old had been sidelined since the Australian Open in January due to a failed drug test last year which led to a negotiated standdown period this season.

However, it was as if the Italian had never left, with the top seed hitting past Mariano Navone 6-3, 6-4 in just one hour and 38 minutes to book his place in the third round.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Sinner after the match.

“I waited quite long for this moment. I’m very happy to be back.

“It’s very difficult to have the right feedback when you don’t have any matches, and that’s exactly what I need.

“Now I think the best practice is the match itself, so I’m very happy about that.”

Sinner struck a few more errors than usual – ending with 21 winners to 24 unforced errors – but was still in control of the match from start to finish with just one break of serve against him in the second set.

He has now won 22 matches in a row, and shortens his title odds in Rome toNags.bet across top tennis sportsbooks.

Leading betting sites have him a heavy favourite to prevail in his next match against Jesper de Jong, with Nags.bet pricing him at just Nags.bet to win.

“I was surprised how things can [feel good] so quickly,” Sinner said.

“I tried to give everything I have. I think that’s the only thing I can do and that’s the only thing I can control right now.

“The sensation felt quite good, to be honest.

“Of course, there were some ups and downs, that is normal, but he played some great tennis, especially when he broke me in the second set.

“I tried to accept that and tried to work again.

“Now I have some good feedback, and hopefully I can work with that.”

Elsewhere in the men’s draw on Saturday, Australian Alex de Minaur prevailed against local Luca Nardi 6-4, 7-5, while sixth seed Casper Ruud outlasted Alexander Bublik 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

Fourth seed Taylor Fritz was the major upset of the day, going down in back-to-back tiebreakers to compatriot Marcos Giron.

SPORTS NEWS