\n<\/p>\n
Italian Sinner produced his best performance since returning from a three-month doping ban to thrash Casper Ruud 6-0 6-1.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old combined power with several deft touches to wrap up victory in one hour and three minutes.<\/p>\n
Ruud arrived in Rome in fine form following his victory at the Madrid Open, but was unable to contend with the home favourite in the opening set.<\/p>\n
The Norwegian world number seven fared slightly better in the second and was warmly applauded by the crowd after holding serve in the third game to end the onslaught.<\/p>\n
But Sinner quickly regained his dominance and claimed the next four games to seal a 25th consecutive victory – a streak that was interrupted by the three-month suspension he agreed<\/a> with the World Anti Doping Agency (Wada).<\/p>\n “I was feeling great on court today,” Sinner, who was playing in his fourth match since returning from suspension, told Sky Sports.<\/p>\n “My goal was to try to understand where my level is at this tournament and it has raised day by day. <\/p>\n “These are positive signs for me. Everything can change in one day but everything worked well for me. I was serving well and moved great on the court.”<\/p>\n Sinner is bidding to end a 49-year wait for an Italian winner of the men’s tournament in Rome, with Adriano Panatta the last home champion in 1976.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n