Jannik Sinner says he is in a 'very difficult moment' due to his doping case: 'I had sleepless nights'

World number one Jannik Sinner said on Monday that he was in “a very difficult moment” and enduring sleepless nights over his doping case. The 23-year-old is under the microscope anew after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Saturday it was seeking a ban of up to two years after he twice tested positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) had cleared the Italian of wrongdoing in August, and weeks later he won the US Open for his second major title.

Explained: Why Sinner has been cleared of wrongdoing despite failing anti-doping tests

The ITIA accepted Sinner’s explanation that the drug entered his system when his physiotherapist used a spray containing it to treat a cut, then provided massage and sports therapy to the player.

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“First of all it’s not a situation where I like to be in, it’s a very delicate and difficult and also different situation,” Sinner said in Beijing after defeating Jiri Lehecka in the quarter-finals 6-2, 7-6 (8/6).

“But what I know is that I always try to remind myself that I haven’t done anything wrong.

“For sure I had sleepless nights during this time. Now again it’s going to be not easy.”

‘Very difficult moment for me’

WADA has appealed the decision to clear him to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), reigniting the case.

“Obviously disappointed that I am again in this situation,” said Sinner.

“I just try to stay somehow focused on my work and trying to do everything possible I can to be ready for each match I play.

“But yes, this is a very difficult moment for me and also for my team.”

The ITIA found that Sinner “bears no fault or negligence” in the high-profile case and cleared him to carry on playing.

WADA on Saturday said: “It is WADA’s view that the finding of ’no fault or negligence’ was not correct under the applicable rules.”

Sinner will be up against Chinese wildcard Bu Yunchaokete in the semis of the China Open, while four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz plays last year’s runner-up Medvedev after emerging from a tense first set to defeat Russian seventh seed Karen Khachanov 7-5, 6-2.

Russian third seed Medvedev beat unseeded Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-4.

Osaka v Gauff ‘battle’

In the women’s draw, Naomi Osaka set up a last-16 clash with Coco Gauff while top seed Aryna Sabalenka and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen both sailed through.

Four-time major champion Osaka defeated American Katie Volynets 6-3, 6-2 and faces American fourth seed Gauff in a showdown of former US Open title-holders.

“It’s definitely going to be a battle – who wants to take control of the point first,” said Osaka, a former number one now ranked 73.

“And I think it’s going to be me.”

Osaka is playing her first tournament under Patrick Mouratoglou, the Frenchman best known for being the long-time former coach of Serena Williams.

The 26-year-old Japanese won four majors from 2018 to 2021 – the US Open and Australian Open, both twice.

She is also a former winner in Beijing and has said she feels at home on the hard courts of the Chinese capital.

But Osaka has struggled for consistency since returning to tennis in January after the birth of her daughter Shai. Her best results after becoming a parent have been two quarter-final appearances.

World number two Sabalenka will take some stopping after the US Open champion swatted aside Ashlyn Krueger 6-2, 6-2 for her 14th victory in a row. She plays another American next in Madison Keys.

Zheng, the home hero playing in China for the first time since winning gold in Paris, rolled over Nadia Podoroska of Argentina 6-3, 6-2.

Jasmine Paolini became the biggest casualty so far when the third seed was beaten 6-4, 6-0 by 31st-seeded Magda Linette.