Jannik Sinner admitted he needed to raise his level to beat countryman Matteo Berrettini in the second round at Wimbledon. The Australian Open champion registered a 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 2-6, 7-6(4) win to advance to the third round.

Sinner was able to get over the line in three hours and 45 minutes as he was pushed to the limits by Wimbledon 2021 runners-up.

“First of all we are very good friends,” Sinner said. “We played Davis Cup together and we practise together, so it is very very tough we had to face in the second round in such an important tournament. Today was a very high-level match. In three tie-breaks I got a little bit lucky and I take it for today.”

The 22-year-old knew he had to bring his A-game to the court if he had to get over the line against Berrettini.

“We have spoken with the team a lot and I knew I had to raise my level,” Sinner said. “He played the final here and is a grass-court specialist. I was looking forward to it and it was a challenge to come on court and I am very happy with how I handled the situation. There were some ups and downs, which is normal in a five-set [match], but I am happy.”

On the other hand, defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz registered a 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-2 win against Australian Aleksandar Vukic. The Spaniard was leading by 5-2 in the opening set but veered off the track to trail 5-6 however he was able to win the tiebreaker. The Spaniard then won the next two sets convincingly against the Australian.

“I am really happy about my performance,” Alcaraz said. “I think the first set was the key. He served for the set and I broke and after I played a really good tie-break. I played a really high level in the second and third sets, so I am really happy about it.”

Sinner will take on Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanović in the third round whereas Alcaraz will face America’s Frances Tiafoe.