Before stepping onto the court for his semifinal clash with Terence Atmane, Jannik Sinner found himself in a very different kind of spotlight at the Cincinnati Masters. The world No. 1, usually known for his laser focus and ruthless shot-making, melted hearts when he spent time playing with an adorable puppy that was up for adoption.

At that moment, a suggestion from his coach Simone Vagnozzi was fundamental. The latter told him to shorten the duration of the rallies and to push his shots to the maximum in the first two points in the return phase, in order to recover his energies and put pressure on Atmane.