Ahead by one set, he lost the second and felt bad in the third but earned the match against the no. 2 in the world and returns no. 6 in the ranking
According to Sinner, the rivalry of the moment is that between Djokovic and Alcaraz. But with Nole away from China, there is no more fascinating dualism than that between Jannik and Carlos. Here they are, again, one against the other: the South Tyrolean and the Spaniard will face each other in the semi-final of the 500 tournament in Beijing, for a place in the final against one of Zverev and Medvedev, victorious against Jarry and Humbert respectively. It will be match number 7 between the two baby talents at ATP level, the third of 2023 after the two of the Sunshine Double (semi-finals in Indian Wells and Miami): a totally balanced balance sheet, three wins each and one draw this year. Alcaraz gets there after the authoritative victory against Casper Ruud (6-4 6-2), Sinner responded by overcoming Grigor Dimitrov in three sets: 6-4 3-6 6-2.
WHAT A PAIN
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A success that was anything but linear, that of Jannik against the Bulgarian. The South Tyrolean could have closed the match earlier, in two sets, saving some effort and without taking the risk of not taking it home. But in the second set he got stuck on break points: he had eight available – spread over the last three rounds in response – without ever managing to materialise. Dimitrov got the break in the eighth game, thanks to a slip by Sinner coming out of serve. He canceled out two break-break chances in the service game to close out the set, but eventually came through and took the match to the third.
STOMACH PROBLEMS
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One break decides the first set (in the infinite opening game, in favor of Sinner), one breaks the second. The third set, fortunately for Jannik, re-established order after numerous unexploited opportunities: the South Tyrolean immediately broke his opponent’s serve in the second game, finding a winning acceleration with the cross-court backhand that smacked of liberation. However, the worries were not over yet: between the fifth and seventh game Sinner had to cancel two counterbreak balls after suffering stomach problems when changing sides at the end of the third game. In the end, in a decisive part of quality and fight, Jannik managed to get rid of the Bulgarian with a second break, in a match that became more complicated along the way like the one on his debut against Daniel Evans. Against Alcaraz, this Alcaraz (victories in two sets against Hanfmann, Musetti and Ruud), will serve the perfect match: thus, by winning against the Spaniard, Jannik would be sure to become number 4 in the world. He is now sixth in the ranking: equaling his best placing.
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