Sinner beaten 2-1 by Zverev in Monte Carlo

Too bad, because we just missed it. In Monte Carlo Jannik Sinner deceives against Sascha Zverev, then collapses at the end of the second set and gives in to the third to the German who goes to settle in the final 5-7 6-3 7-6. However, the second quarter-final 1000 in a row remains for the pupil of Simone Vagnozzi, who puts on an increasingly varied and fun game, which confirms that he has the head and heart of an absolute champion but who must necessarily solve the problem of blisters in order to take the field healthy and with tranquility. Too bad, because Jannik had recovered well from 4-1 below in the second set starting to grind tennis and often putting the German in the corner, he had earned the tie break of the third in extremis and gave up after more than three hours of fighting. Now the other quarter-final between Tsitsipas and Schwartzman to decree the challenger of the German.

The match

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As against Rublev, the break comes immediately. Cold. Two forehand mistakes that send the German ahead 0-30, then another mistake that allows Sascha to close the lead. From there starts a series of 13 points by Zverev that ends at 4-1. Decisive to keep the serve for Jannik who then takes courage, finds two winners and goes 30-0 on a German serve. A double fault gives the Italian two chances to recover the break. Sascha risks a second double foul, but the break is canceled by the chair judge. The serving time is repeated amidst the whistles of the audience, all for Jannik who then hangs up the score: 4-3.

Jannik risks again, against an angry Zverev for the break immediately. He is on a dangerous 15-30, serves a second winner and ends with serve and volley. From below 4-1 it returns 4-4 and then 5-5. Sinner takes more and more confidence, who takes advantage of every uncertainty of the German and goes 0-30. Zverev recovers, but Zverev serves second and Jannik puts his feet on the pitch. Double foul and break ball. The German cancels it. But Sinner gets another one that fades due to a backhand mistake. Vagnozzi’s pupil does not give up and with a splendid straight line winner he gets a third one. But it is still undone. Here is the fourth chance, and this time Sinner goes 6-5 and serves. Closing the set is a formality, he keeps the service at zero and closes 7-5. Second set that immediately starts full, with Sinner taking a break advantage for the 2-1, but with an empty pass in the fourth game returns the service to the German. All to be redone on 2-2. Despite a problem with his right adductor requiring treatment from the trainer, Zverev thwarts two chances for a new break from Jannik. But his condition gradually grows and Jannik seems to have lost his rhythm after that stop. In the eighth game the German extends with a decisive break: he goes 5-3 and ends the set 6-3.

The end

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In the third Sinner still starts in trouble, under 0-30, but two mistakes by Zverev give him a hand. With three consecutive points he has the ball of 1-0, holds the serve but in the third game, which began with a 26-stroke exchange, Sascha snatches the serve to 0 for the 2-1. Sinner limps more and more conspicuously and seems to have lost faith. Since, as Paolo Bertolucci says, tennis hurts, Zverev decides to put on a show in the wrong way: serve from below, outside. Second out and double foul. It goes to the advantages and Jannik closes with a straight winner. The game gets back on track, but the dangerous German is still at 3-3, going 0-30 on Sinner’s service. The two break points for Sascha are lethal.

The German climbs 4-3 and serves, consolidates for 5-3 and then, when he has to serve for the match, undergoes the comeback of a moving Jannik who brings everything back even: 5-5. There is still to suffer, there is still to fight. Sinner comes back 6-5 but this time the German doesn’t tremble and starts throwing furniture between serve and straight, keeps the serve and everything is played at the tie break. Zverev’s minibreak at 2-2, but it is 3-3 immediately with Jannik’s reaction. Again minibreak and counter minibreak. A backhand on the net sends Zverev to serve for the match and this time, despite Sinner still taking a tie, the German closes it. In three hours and seven minutes of epic battle.