Jannik Sinner has reached at least the quarterfinals in all tournaments played this year, a record that attests to his seasons greatness. The Italian champion broke several records in his magical 2024, where he won two Grand Slam titles and two Masters 1000. The 23-year-old from San Candido - who suffered only six defeats in the whole year - is the worlds number 1 with a very large margin over all opponents.
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After losing the final in Beijing last week, the US Open champion did not fall and also started well at the Shanghai Masters 1000. After beating Tomas Martin Etcheverry with a little effort in the third round, the worlds number 1 took revenge on Ben Shelton who had beaten him here last year in the round of 16.
Despite the young American having several break points during the match, Jannik showed once again his incredible mental strength making a difference in the decisive moments. Even when not expressing his best tennis, Sinner has an almost unique ability to make the right choice when it matters most.
Sinner will faceMedvedev
This quality allowed him to exceed 60 victories in 2024 and to stretch over his rivals in the ATP ranking, although he is not able to touch the same peaks as his great rival Carlos Alcaraz. In the quarterfinals, Sinner will face Daniil Medvedev for the fifth time this year. The World number 1 defeated the Russian ace in the Australian Open final (coming back two sets behind), in the Miami Masters 1000 semifinals and in the US Open quarterfinals, while Medvedev prevailed in the Wimbledon Championships quarterfinals. If he wins tomorrow, Jannik will hook Daniil into the head-to-head balance.
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"A very tough match, for sure. We know each other very well, so we more or less know what to expect from the opponent. It's clear that he will change a couple of things, I will also, we'll see how it goes. It's going to be a very tough match, very physical, very mental, and also very tactical the 2-time Grand Slam champion said during the press conference.
The Italian ace showed an incredible consistency this year: "Yes, it's about maintaining that consistency, being ready every day, accepting every challenge that comes your way. At any moment you will face very, very tough moments on the court, and you have to be mentally ready to fight against them, that's what I do. It's clear that making the quarterfinals in every event is not easy, but that's when the tournament becomes more interesting (laughs); no, I'm happy to be among the top eight, we'll see now."
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The 23-year-old from San Candido is almost sure to end the season at the top of the ATP ranking, even if his great rival Alcaraz has raised his level in recent weeks. The Italian ace and the Spanish champion may face each other again in the semi-finals, but both must win their respective quarterfinal matches tomorrow.
An impressive consistency
Due to his doping case, Jannik changed some members of his team. He started a new professional relationship with Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio. For sure they (Panichi and Badio) have a lot of experience, you know, in working with the world No 1 for so, so many years, Sinner said in a recent press conference.
Also together, you know, Marco and Ulises, working together, its already a big help, because they know each other very well, which is for me very good, and very important also. For sure, they can help me, you know, especially a little bit off the court, trying to see new things and trying where we can improve as a player.
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They have a lot of experience. We have some similarities, me and Djokovic, but at the end we are still different, so you know, we have to try to adapt our, whatever is best for me, and trying to understand. But this, it takes time. But Im very happy to have them on my team he added.
The numbers testify to the great growth of the Italian player in the last year. Few people would have expected such a rise, especially in such a short time. If it continues like this, Janniks 2024 will truly go down in tennis history as one of the best seasons ever. His main goals are the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin - where he lost last year to Djokovic in the final - and the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Sinner has been called up by Filippo Volandri and will try to drag Italy to the second consecutive triumph after that of 2023.
