Galan to face Sinner in Cincinnati

The Colombian, world No. 134 and a qualifier, defeated Vik Kopriva, No. 80, in straight sets to set up a Saturday clash with Jannik Sinner at the Cincinnati Masters.

Galan to face Sinner in Cincinnati

Daniel Elahi Galan, ranked 134 and coming from the qualifying rounds, defeated Vik Kopriva, ranked 80, in straight sets 6-2 6-4 in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters. The win advances Galan to a meeting with Jannik Sinner on Saturday, with the start time to be decided.

Twenty-nine-year-old Galan is coached by his father Santos. His serve is a strength and he enjoys clay court tennis, with Wimbledon as his preferred event. His childhood idols were Roger Federer and Victor Estrella Burgos. He also has an interest in cycling and follows a vegetarian diet. He explains that beans, chickpeas and grains provide protein while he travels the world. He is ready to challenge Sinner.

Galan has built a surprising arc through the tour. A qualifier from Colombia coming through the rounds to face a top young star underscores how deep the field has become. On a Cincinnati hard court, Galan must rely on disciplines that keep pace with Sinner, who thrives on consistency and angles. The matchup highlights a broader trend: returners who bring cardio and plan can complicate the path for favored players on big stages. Sinner will need to respect the opponent while executing his own game plan.

The result of this encounter may ripple into the United States swing, testing Sinner on why he is where he is and reminding the sport that opportunity travels with the qualifiers.

Highlights

The road ahead may demand more from Sinner than power alone