With Jannik Sinner not quite in peak form at Wimbledon (and certainly not dating back to the French Open), there was a thought that Novak Djokovic would have a realistic chance in the semifinals at the All-England Club on Friday.
Any chance the 39-year-old had was erased swiftly and decisively.
In a second straight head-to-head semifinal in SW19, Sinner cruised 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 20 minutes. The top-ranked Italian broke Djokovic’s serve early in all three sets and rolled to victory without dropping his own serve a single time.
Sinner beat Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in last year’s semis. The 24-year-old now leads their head-to-head series 7-5, and Friday’s result avenged a surprising semifinal loss earlier this season at the Australian Open.
Sinner’s success was preceded by a similarly dominant win by Alexander Zverev, who ended the run of Arthur Fery 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-4. Zverev struck nine aces, served at 72 percent, and did not get broken by the British wild card.
Heading into Sunday’s championship match, the head-to-head series between Sinner and Zverev stands at 10-4 in favor of the 24-year-old. He has won nine in a row over Zverev after losing four of their first five encounters. Sunday marks their first-ever meeting on grass.
nice one, Fox
Well done Sinner, win the whole god damn thing now 😁