(Reuters) -Top seed and defending champion Jannik Sinner, playing on his 24th birthday, ended French qualifier Terence Atmane’s dream run at the Cincinnati Open with a 7-6(4) 6-2 win on Saturday to reach the final of the U.S. Open tune-up event.

Sinner won a remarkable 91% of his first-serve points, did not face a single break point during the 86-minute match and converted two of five break points in his first career meeting with world number 136 Atmane.

“Very, very tough challenge,” Sinner said on court after being serenaded with “Happy Birthday” by the crowd. “Every time when you play against someone completely new it’s very difficult.

“I knew that I had to be very, very careful and my mindset today was in a good spot. I feel like I handled situations on the court very well.”

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