Terence Atmane believes that Jannik Sinner's inner strength is what sets him apart from other tennis stars, as the Italian urged him to continue the momentum in his career. The French tennis player locked horns with the world no.1 at the Cincinnati Open at the weekend, aiming for a place in the final.

However, Sinner's class showed through as he hit Atmane down in two sets, winning 7-6, 6-2. The 23-year-old was blown away by the Italian's prowess on the court, claiming that to play at the highest level requires a "new dimension" of physical and mental energy. Speaking to L'Equipe after the match, Atmane revealed what Sinner said to him in a private conversation as the umpire called game, as he said: "He wished me well, to keep up the momentum, to keep working.

"I told him I'll do my best to play him as many times as possible in my career. I'll have to work hard to be at the level of the best."

Atmane went on to hail Sinner's intense energy on the court, adding that the tennis star's work rate is phenomenal. Asked what it was like to play against the Wimbledon champion, he said: "Tennis-wise, it's still doable. Then, physically and mentally, it takes on a whole new dimension. Simply winning a point requires intense concentration and energy.

"I think that's what sets him apart from other players; otherwise, he wouldn't be world number one. Tennis-wise, what he offers is already exceptional. But what he offers mentally and physically is another dimension."

Discussing the match, Atmane added: "He was better than me from the tiebreak onwards until the end of the match. I didn't start very well with a double fault. He changed his position on the return and it destabilized me on my second, which went long. I missed a return that was within my reach. Then a forehand.

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"And it was 3-0, and against that kind of player, you can't miss opportunities. I let him get away in the tiebreak and he knew how to seize his opportunities. In the second set, there's nothing to say, he was better than me."

The duo also exchanged an unusual gift before the semi-final began, in the form of tradable Pokemon cards. Atmane admitted that the decision to gift Sinner a card came "naturally".

When quizzed on the exchange, he said: "I did a Pokémon opening in Toronto with Gaël Monfils and I got a really nice Pikachu. I thought it best symbolized Pokémon, so why not give him a card for his birthday?

"I'm happy to give it to him because it's my world, so why not share it with Jannik? It came naturally. I chose the card last night (Friday night) before going to bed. I thought I'd give it to him before the match and wish him good luck in the semi-finals."

Sinner will take on old foe Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Cincinnati Open, in the final preparation for the US Open which is set to begin on August 19. The Italian will begin with a mixed doubles match in the round of 16 alongside Katerina Siniakova, with their opponents confirmed as Alexander Zverev and Belinda Bencic.