Jannik Sinner storms past injured rival to reach Wimbledon fourth round

Jannik Sinner is through to the second week of Wimbledon after beating an ailing Pedro Martinez 6-1 6-3 6-1. The world No. 1 stormed into a 5-0 lead while the Spaniard struggled with a shoulder issue and looked to be on the verge of retirement.

But Martinez burst into life after receiving a medical time-out and was able to see out the match, though he still couldn't touch the three-time Major winner.

Sinner and Martinez took to Centre Court under the roof as a star-studded Royal Box full of sporting heroes - including tennis stars Andy Roddick and Billie Jean King, plus Olympic icons Sir Jason and Dame Laura Kenny - watched on. But it quickly became clear that something was wrong with the world No. 52.

Martinez was hoping to reach the second week of a Major for the first time in his career. But he could barely serve and got broken twice, sending a weak 74mph first serve down the court.

Within 20 minutes, Sinner led 5-0, and the Spaniard called the physio to the court for a medical time out. When he took his shirt off, he already had visible strapping on his shoulder.

"It's sort of sad because he's a guy who probably will never be on Centre Court. Huge moment for him, defining moment in his career, get to third round of Wimbledon, play Jannik Sinner," John McEnroe remarked, commentating on the match for the BBC.

The medical attention seemed to do the trick. Martinez finally got on the board in the next game, but his deficit in the first set was too big, and Sinner served it out for the loss of one game.

The world No. 52 was still barely reaching 100mph with his serves and got broken midway through the second set in a sloppy game full of errors. But he grew into the match and had multiple opportunities to break back while trailing 3-4.

Sinner shut the door and went on an incredible run, winning the next five games in a row to lead by two sets and a break. Martinez called the trainer for more treatment after dropping the second set, but it was of no use.

The top seed continued his demolition job and sent Martinez scampering around the court, forcing him to chase down a drop shot, then a lob, before hitting an overhead winner to seal a double break and move 4-0 up in the third set.

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