'Who is this guy?': Jannik Sinner drops set against Tristan Schoolkate in second-round clash
Updated . First published at
Jannik Sinner has prevailed in his second-round clash against Tristan Schoolkate - but there were some nervous moments for the reigning Australian Open champion.
The world No.1 advanced in the first grand slam of the, running away with a clincal four-set win over the relatively-unknown Aussie.
But at the end of the first set, Sinner was clearly on the back foot after losing 6-4, prompting a raucous response from the crowd inside Rod Laver Arena.
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"He [Schoolkate] has got Sinner under the pump," Todd Woodbridge said on Nine.
"No one expected this. He's taken it in 47 minutes."
Tristan Schoolkate celebrates in the first set. Getty
John McEnroe even saw some concern on Sinner's face at the time.
"Sinner has a look like 'what's going on, who is this guy'?" he said.
Unfortunately, it didn't take long for the Aussie's bubble to burst, as the world's best player flexed his championship muscle.
Once the reigning champion got a sniff, it was all over for Schoolkate despite an incredibly gallant effort.
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Sinner would go on to win the clash 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3, to dash the local's dreams of an astonishing upset in his home grand slam.
"You always had a game plan against Mike Tyson until he hit you," McEnroe said.
"This plan was working, until Sinner got his act together. It's hard to execute after that."
The pair embraced briefly after the match, as Sinner gave his opponent some words of encouragement at the net.
Jannik Sinner during his second-round match. Getty
"It is always tough to play against a player I don't know very well," he said.
"I felt like he was serving really well and playing much better in the beginning that I was.
"It was an amazing atmosphere, so thank you so much for coming is always. It is a very special place, especially for Australians to play here with a home crowd.
"I have to be very happy still for for my performance. I never taking things for granted. I am very glad to be again in the next round."
The only Aussie men's players remaining in the singles draw now are eighth seed Alex de Minaur and Aleksander Vukic, who takes on 15th seed Jack Draper on Friday.
