Sinner heavy favourite to win in Cincinnati after Rublev revenge

World No.1 Jannik Sinner exacted revenge for his loss to Andrey Rublev last week, defeating the Russian in three sets to make the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters ATP 1000 on Sunday in Ohio.

With the match played in strong wind, Sinner dropped the opening set and looked on track for a second consecutive loss to the world No.6.

However, the Italian showed great mental fortitude to fight his way past the challenging conditions and win the next two sets, ousting Rublev 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

“It took a lot of mental strength today,” Sinner said after the match.

“It was very tough conditions, very windy.

“In the first set he started very well, and I didn’t play my best tennis but in the second set, I felt I had a lot of chances. I waited for my chance.

“I am very happy to make the semis.”

Sinner made 44 unforced errors in total across the quarter-final, but now sees himself into the semi-finals where he will face Alexander Zverev.

Zverev comes back against home-hero Shelton

Zverev also looked on track to be upset, with the third seed losing his opening set against American Ben Shelton.

However, the German managed to eek out wins in the next two sets, scraping his way home in two and a half hours for a 3-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5 victory.

In his semi-final against Sinner, Zverev will be a +175 underdog at top sports bookmakers, despite holding a 4-1 head-to-head over the Italian.

Sinner is at -227.27 to win his first match against Zverev since 2020.

The 23-year-old is the favourite at top tennis betting sites to take out his third ATP Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati, sitting at -105.26 in outright betting.

Holger Rune, who defeated Jack Draper, 6-4, 6-2 in an impressive showing on Sunday, is next in the outright winner market, paying +300.

Zverev holds the third line of betting at +350, while the last American in the draw, Frances Tiafoe, is the outsider at +650.

Tiafoe is having his best tournament of the season, having won four matches in a row for the first time all year to make the semi-finals.

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