LONDON: A clinical Jannik Sinner stormed into his first Wimbledon final on Friday after handing seven-time champion Novak Djokovic one of his heaviest defeats at the Grand Slam.
The world No.1 powered his way to a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, win over Djokovic in less than two hours on Centre Court. Sinner’s dominant victory saw him win 81% of his first service points and produced 35 winners. He is through to his fifth Grand Slam final, which is a new record for an Italian player.
Meanwhile, Djokovic has now suffered five consecutive defeats to Sinner since the 2023 Davis Cup Finals. During their latest match, the 38-year-old was troubled by a leg injury, which he required treatment for.
“I served very well and was moving much better today,” Sinner said of his latest performance.
“We all saw, especially in the third set, he (Djokovic) was a bit injured. He’s been in a difficult situation, but I tried to stay calm, play the best tennis I can in the important moments, and let’s see what’s coming now in the final.”
In recent days, there had been questions raised about the status of Sinner’s right elbow, but against Djokovic, he showed no signs of discomfort. The Italian was on top form at the start of the match. Sinner won 17 out of 19 service points during the first set against somebody regarded as one of the sport’s greatest returners. He grabbed his first break three games in after a Djokovic shot crashed into the net. Then, at the end of the opening set, he secured a second with the help of back-to-back errors from the Serbian.
Sinner continued his onslaught into the second frame, which he began by winning three games in a row. Surging to a set and 5-2 lead, Sinner hit a blistering forehand down the line to earn a set point. However, a Djokovic ace prevented him from converting. He eventually triumphed in the next game with a 134 mph ace down the line.
Djokovic’s woes worsened when he was forced to take a medical timeout for treatment on the upper part of his left leg. During his quarter-final match, he suffered a nasty slip at the baseline two points before winning and then cancelled a practice session yesterday.
Despite his setback, the sixth seed defied the odds by breaking for the first time to open up a 3-0 lead at the start of the third frame. However, the lead was short-lived. Sinner regained his stronghold in the match before moving to a game from victory. He closed the match out with a serve out wide, followed by a forehand winner.
“It’s amazing, I can’t believe it. It’s a tournament I always watched when I was young, I would have never imagined I could play in the final,” said Sinner.
“I know how much work me and my team are putting in, my dad and brother arrived today, so it’s even more special, and playing here in front of you guys is amazing.”
Awaiting the 23-year-old next will be Carlos Alcaraz, who defeated Taylor Fritz in four sets. The encounter gives Sinner a shot at redemption after having three championship points against the Spaniard at the French Open before losing in a five-set epic that lasted nearly five-and-a-half hours.
“It’s a huge honour for me to share the court with Carlos,” he said.
“He’s one of the players I look up to. I love watching him. I don’t know if it’ll be better than the last one, I don’t think it’s possible”
Sinner joins Matteo Berrettini and Jasmine Paolini as the only Italian players to have reached a Wimbledon singles final.
