Jannik Sinner was able to hit the ground running as he bested Mariano Navone by 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the Italian Open on Saturday. Sinner was making a much-awaited return to the tour after serving a three-month doping ban.

The Italian claimed a one-hour, 38-minute victory at the ATP Masters 1000 event while playing in the home conditions in Rome. The World No.1 was delighted after the victory and said he waited quite long for this win.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Sinner. “I waited quite long for this moment. I’m very happy to be back. It’s very difficult to have the right feedback when you don’t have any matches, and that’s exactly what I need. Now I think the best practice is the match itself, so I’m very happy about that.

“I’m very happy about the win today. It was very difficult. He is such a great player, especially on this surface. I tried to move around the ball. At times it went very well, at times it could have been better, yes, but in any case, it doesn’t matter about the result today. It has been a remarkable day for me, so I’m very happy.”

Sinner’s last tournament on the tour was the Australian Open, which he won after beating Alexander Zverev in the final. The 23-year-old was surprised by his own level in win against the Argentine after making a comeback following a three-month gap.

“I was surprised how things can [feel good] so quickly. I tried to give everything I have. I think that’s the only thing I can do and that’s the only thing I can control right now,” said Sinner, when asked how happy he was with his game. 

“The sensation felt quite good, to be honest. Of course, there were some ups and downs, that is normal, but he played some great tennis, especially when he broke me in the second set. I tried to accept that and tried to work again. Now I have some good feedback, and hopefully I can work with that.”

Sinner will next take on the Netherlands’ Jesper De Jong on Monday in the third round.