Jannik Sinner is truly unstoppable. The world No. 1 also won his second match at the Nitto ATP Finals, defeating Taylor Fritz in straight sets in front of his fans in Turin. The Italian ace showed all his incredible consistency, which allowed him to win a tough match against a very dangerous opponent on such a fast surface.
ADVERTISEMENT
The American ace finalist at the US Open this year (he was defeated by Sinner in New York) played an excellent match after beating Daniil Medvedev on Sunday but Jannik made the difference in the decisive moments of both sets as has happened so many times during this season.
The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria always knows what he has to do in important moments and it is very rare that he makes the wrong choice. The 2-time Grand Slam champion did not concede a single break to his opponent and came very close to qualifying for the semifinals.
Sinner who has suffered only six defeats in the whole of 2024 will only need to win a set against Medvedev tomorrow to enter the semifinals scheduled for Saturday. The Italian champion has defeated the Russian ace in seven of the last eight clashes, with the only exception being the quarterfinals of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sinner defeated Fritz
It wasn't easy for Jannik to defeat a rival like Fritz on this surface, but the world No. 1 proved once again why he's the best player on the planet right now.
It was a very tough match, we got to know each other very well in a Grand Slam final, said Sinner after his win over the American champion. We knew exactly what to expect today, he was very aggressive and I was prepared. I just tried to serve very well in the important moments, which I did. That was a very crucial game in the second set, I was down 0/30. If he breaks me there, the momentum could change.
Sinner's season has been brilliant from all points of view, with the exception of the doping case that emerged in April. The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria had to face a long trial and the news was made known to the world only at the time of ITIA's decision.ITIA acknowledged his total innocence, but the case was reopened due to WADA's decision to appeal the acquittal ruling. It will take another few months to understand whether Jannik will be disqualified or not, further stress for the 2-time Grand Slam champion.
ADVERTISEMENT
Conor Niland on Jannik's doping case
During an interview with Tennis365, former ace Conor Niland expressed his point of view on Janniks doping case: I think he has gotten unlucky. I dont think he was doping, but it is there must be a lot going on for him right now with the case going on. I saw his mum tearing up in the crowd when he was given the year-end No 1 prize and I wondered if Im sure there is a lot going on in the background and the wider team around Sinner. Id say this has hurt them a lot, all this noise from the last few months.
Sinners story, for people who dont follow tennis and dont know the full story, is something people will latch on to. So we need to get this sorted and cleared both for Sinner and for tennis in general. It will be interesting to see if it stays with him or if this is something he can move on to. Anyone caught up in something like this could see their legacy affected.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Italian ace tested positive during the Indian Wells Masters 1000, more precisely after his match against Jan-Lennard Struff in California. The world number 1 received this news in April and did not want to believe it, before reconstructing what had happened in those days and attributing responsibility to Umberto Ferrara and Giacomo Naldi. Both were fired and the Italian started a new collaboration with Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio.
The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria admitted that he did not expect WADA's decision to appeal, but will begin to cooperate with the authorities as soon as he is called upon to do so. WADA has asked for a ban of one to two years, which frankly seems excessive considering that Jannik's performances have not benefited at all.
A controversy like this only risks ruining the image of the world number 1, who has experienced a truly incredible season. After the ATP Finals, Sinner will help Italy at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Jannik will be called up by Filippo Volandri, who should also select Lorenzo Musetti, Matteo Berrettini, Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.
