The world No. 1 was rusty on his first match back after three months away. His Italian Open draw means he cannot afford to be so for long.

Italy’s Jannik Sinner serves the ball to Netherlands’ Jesper De Jong during their tennis match at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Monday, May 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Italy’s Jannik Sinner returns the ball to Netherlands’ Jesper De Jong during their tennis match at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico,

Jannik Sinner still has some rust from his three-month absence, but he hasn't lost the ability to bounce back, overcoming a brief lapse in the first set to beat Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong 6-4, 6-2 and move into the fourth round of the Italian Open on Monday in Rome.