Defending champion Jannik Sinner advanced to the Wimbledon Round of 16 after a straight-sets victory over American Jenson Brooksby on July 3.
The world No. 1 Italian won 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 13 minutes on Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Sinner is working to find his rhythm on grass after an early exit at the French Open earlier this year.
“Trying to improve every day,” Sinner said. “Small step forward today [but] trying to get better.
If I want to go far in this tournament, couple of things I need to handle better, but all in all, very happy.”
The victory sets up a fourth-round match on July 5 against unranked Japanese player Shintaro Mochizuki, who upset third-seeded Rafael Jodar.
Mochizuki expressed surprise at his run and described facing Sinner as surreal.
“It’s a very strange feeling to face Jannik here at Wimbledon,” Mochizuki said. “Especially this year.
Before coming here, I wasn’t winning almost any matches, and I still don’t quite know how I managed to reach the fourth round.”
He added: “I’m super excited, but at the same time, it’s weird to see myself at this stage of the tournament.
I just want to keep enjoying the experience.”
Mochizuki expects an aggressive start from Sinner.
“I don’t know him much. For me, he’s almost a celebrity,” Mochizuki said.
“That’s why I say it’s weird to face him. I’m convinced he’ll play very fast and try to destroy me from the first point.
Honestly, if I just hit the ball, I don’t think I can win.”
Sinner’s Opening Match
Sinner began his title defense on June 29 with a five-set win over Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic that lasted about 3.5 hours.
“I'm very happy, of course, being back at this beautiful tournament,” Sinner said. “First match is never easy, as we saw.
So, my first official match on grass courts after years. So, very happy about today's match, even though a tough one, very much needed.”
He described the momentum shifts in that match.
“I had my chances in the third set. I couldn't use them.
Played a couple of great points in tie break, which you need to accept, but tried to reset myself as fast as I could, trying to hold serve.”
Sinner emphasized the importance of holding serve early.
“The first couple of service games are very, very important because if it breaks you straight away, then it's tough to come back.”
Off the court, his girlfriend Laila Hasanovic, a Danish model and influencer, has drawn attention on social media while sharing vacation updates from Saint-Tropez and Sweden during the tournament.
The couple’s relationship became public at the Vienna Open in October 2025, where Sinner thanked her during his victory speech.
“Thank you so much for the support,” Sinner said. “The work you put in, the effort.
Also to understand me at times it is not easy, but thank you for putting in the effort.”
Sinner remains the top seed, with rival Carlos Alcaraz absent due to a wrist injury.
