A convincing win 63 26 64 62 over former US Open champion unveils Jannik Sinner’s ambitions
Were we to write a biography of Jannik Sinner, no doubt there would be a chapter dedicated to the Slams, which may read as follows: “Aged 18 and 10 days, Jannik Sinner made his slam debut at the US Open 2019, after passing the qualifiers. He lost in the first round in 4 sets to Stan Wawrinka, former No. 3 in the world and US Open champion in 2016. Yet he displayed his talent, fighting on every point, winning a set, and never hesitating to play, sometimes prevailing, to Wawrinka’s one handed backhand, one of the finest and arguably most powerful in tennis history.
Today the rematch, four years later. Meanwhile their paths have crossed 4 times. The Italian won the last three, two in 2023, with some ease. As Wawrinka put it “He kicked my ass twice this year already at the beginning of the year. Of course, I’m playing much better now. Hopefully I can push him a bit, try to play my game, try to be the player, aggressive on the court.”
He was to be trusted. Today it was a close match for over two hours, and Stan Wawrinka delighted the public and watchers on any device with his vintage tennis, his unique backhands, well supported by a retrieved physical fitness. It was still not enough to prevail over Jannik Sinner, who proved he is a constantly improving player, with an enriched arsenal of shots to rely on, and able to work out solutions in the face of adversity. He did seem in a tight corner, at times. Yet he always came back. Stronger.
In the early stages Sinner took up a more aggressive stance, hammering from the baseline, whereas Wawrinka was playing two metres farther back, edging in closer only to return first serves.
It was the Swiss to set up a first chance, but Sinner fended off break point at 1-1 opening up the court with a cross court forehand and smacking down a smash. With Wawrinka swiftly moving horizontally backcourt, the Italian also deployed a couple of dropshots, trying to unsettle the clockwork.
Such efforts collected reward in the sixth game. Wawrinka dropped his serve after a double fault and two unforced errors.
Serving for the set Sinner conceded a breakpoint after a missed dropshot but saved it and went on to finish off the set with a serve and volley and an ace, showing that the hard work during the last months on these two aspects of his game is starting to pay dividends.
In the second set Stan moved a metre closer to the baseline and amped up pressure. In the second game he needed 6 break points before he was able to convert, but eventually an inside out forehand did the job.
Sinner appeared more and more often caught off balance and unforced errors were seeping in. Wawrinka, as well as hitting angled winners off both forehand and backhand, held serve impressively, winning 100% of points off first serve. Clearly befuddled, Sinner lost his service a second time and Wawrinka won the set 62.
Momentum swung once again in the third game of the third set. Wawrinka’s level abruptly dipped and Sinner clasped the break. His game clicked and once more he was in control. In spite of missing three chances for a second break, he was playing premium tennis and won his opponent’s applause when he teased him to the net with a dropshot then, using his racquet like a compass, drew a lob over his head.
Missed opportunities can backfire though, and Wawrinka broke back and levelled the set at 4 all. The equilibrium didn’t last long, for in the next game Stan attenuated his power and gave away a couple of points. It was too late to revamp: amazing scurrying by Sinner and a mighty crosscourt forehand on the stretch, paved the way for a second break. This time the Italian did not fail to capitalize and sealed the set 64.
From the start of the fourth set Wawrinka’s energy and self-belief were clearly waning. Sinner consolidated an early break and steadily helmed the match his way.
“We didn’t always play our best tennis. It was a little bit more windy, but I think I handled the situation very well,” he said after the match. “ I’m happy with how I handled the key moments. “My level dropped a little bit in the second set and I was very focused on getting off to a good start in the third and fourth set.
