Sinner enjoys a winning return from doping ban

World No 1 Jannik Sinner made a solid return from his threemonth doping ban by beating Mariano Navone 6-3, 6-4 before an adoring home crowd at the Italian Open.

- WILL CASTLE

It was Sinner's first match in more than 100 days, since he won his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January.

"Amazing feeling. I have waited quite long for this moment," Sinner said. "I am very happy to be back." There weren't too many signs of rust and it didn't take long for Sinner to start crushing his groundstrokes on or near the lines.

When the Italian broke for 3-1 in the first set, the crowd inside Campo Centrale sang "Ole, ole, ole, Sin-ner, Sin-ner." Many fans in the soldout crowd of 10,500 were dressed in orange, Sinner's theme color. And there were plenty of signs that said "Bentornato Jannik" or "Welcome back Jannik".

The victory extended Sinner's winning streak to 22 matches, dating to October.