By Toby Davis
LONDON (Reuters) -Jannik Sinner may have equalled a professional-era Wimbledon record with his dominant opening week, but the world number one remains firmly focused on what is to come rather than adding entries in the history books.
The Italian has lost only 17 games in his first three matches at the All England Club, matching the mark set by Jan Kodes in 1972 for the fewest games dropped in the professional era.
His 6-1 6-3 6-1 demolition of Pedro Martinez on Saturday was his third consecutive straight-sets victory, achieved at an average of less than two games lost per set.
When asked about beating eight-times Wimbledon winner Roger Federer’s mark of 19 games conceded in 2004, however, Sinner was dismissive.
“About the games lost, this is whatever,” he said. “I’m not looking on these kind of records. I know that everything can change very quickly from one round to the other.”
Rather than being seduced by his perfect start, the 23-year-old emphasised the unpredictability of the sport.
“I think, as I would say, every match has his own story,” he said. “Things can change very quickly. It depends also before the match what happens. Maybe you don’t sleep well. Maybe something happens in the practice session. Maybe you have some pain.”
This cautious approach has clearly served three-times Grand Slam winner Sinner well and while he acknowledged his satisfaction with the opening week, he is not getting carried away.
“I’m happy, of course. In the other way, now let’s see what’s coming because the opponents, obviously whoever is in the fourth round, they deserve to be there,” said Sinner, who next faces Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov. “Maybe I lose the next round. I don’t know.”
(Reporting by Toby Davis, editing by Ed Osmond)
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