Laura Robson and Tim Henman both agree on what players are saying about Jannik Sinner in the locker room

Jannik Sinner’s performance yesterday is one that will live long in the memory, with Casper Ruud certain to have nightmares about the nature of his 6-0, 6-1 dispatching.

The Italian Open crowd were treated to an absolute masterclass by their home favourite, with the world number one losing just seven points as he strolled into a first-set lead.

Naturally, those covering the clash were purring over the quality on display from Jannik Sinner.

Laura Robson and Tim Henman, in particular, sought to not only praise his performance on the night, but also the impact it might now have going forward.

Laura Robson and Tim Henman think players are scared of Jannik Sinner

Speaking live on Sky Sports Tennis during their coverage of Sinner’s demolition of Casper Ruud, the two pundits were naturally effusive in their adulation for the Italian.

In fact, it was Robson who stated that such a performance, and his return to the sport in general, will have his fellow competitors fearing for their opportunities to compete going forward.

Photo by Antonietta Baldassarre/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images

She noted: ‘You get the sense that there’s kind of an aura around him in the locker room these days, the fact that all the other players just talk about how good he is. They go into the match almost feeling they’re not going to win because he can hit harder than them and he can move so well, they can’t find any weakness.’

Henman concurred: ‘‘And with all due respect, I think the players were hoping that that momentum would have gone, that he would have lost his form and had perhaps a difficult tournament here. It’s been normal service resumed.

‘He’s come out, looked so comfortable as Laura said. I was on the side of the court watching him practise, his ball striking was just absolutely phenomenal.’

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It’s therefore no surprise that such a win has seen Sinner close in on a John McEnroe all-time record.

Jannik Sinner has Tommy Paul in his sights

With Ruud brushed aside with astounding ease, Tommy Paul is next up for Sinner.

And, whilst he does not quite boast the same clay-court pedigree as the Norwegian, he will pose a different threat that could trouble Sinner more so.

His road to the Italian Open semi-final has been a hard-fought one, dropping just one set whilst overcoming Alex De Minaur, Tomas Machac and Hubert Hurcacz.

Sinner vs Paul H2H

Winner Jannik Sinner Jannik Sinner Tommy Paul Jannik Sinner Year 2024 2024 2023 2023 Event US Open ATP Masters Canada Eastbourne ATP Masters Madrid Surface Outdoor Hard Outdoor hard Outdoor grass Outdoor clay Round Round of 16 Semi-final Round of 16 Round of 64

However, none of these have anything like the danger Sinner offers, who hits harder and cleaner than arguably anybody on the tour.

It will have to be the match of his life to upset the rampaging Italian, and having seen the manner in which he mauled Ruud, Paul has reason to be apprehensive about today’s meeting.

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