Archives for 2023

TennisReporters.net top 32 men: No. 25-21

December 10, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

25 Jan-Lennard Struff

The German had an interesting year, almost winning at Stuttgart on the grass, and before that, on the clay, he reached the final in ATP Masters 1000 Madrid. He was on fire, wining five very good matches in three setters, but finally he lost against the current No. 2, Carlos Alcaraz. He was playing terrific, but he got hurt just before Wimbledon, and he had to pull out. When he came back, he was struggling, yet the 33-year-old certainly added some terrific, new shots. Next year, though, he really wants to win his first title, anytime, anywhere.

24 Sebastian Korda

Of course the American did get hurt this year, so it times, when he comes back, it will take him a while to get comfortable. He does have some terrific rallies, with his hard forehand and his backhand, but there are times when he misses the ball. He is young, so if he manages to stay healthy, then he can crack the top 15 in 2024. But he wants a lot more, just like his dad, Petr, who one once then he won the 1998 Aussie Open. Maybe he can do it, again.

23 Tallon Griepspoor

They are all coming up, or down, depending during the year. The Netherlander won title had in s-Hertogenbosch, on the grass, and he must have been thrilled, and after that, he reached the final in Washington, before he lost verses Daniel Evans. He was very stable, and his forehand was powerful, yet after that, he did not win enough matches. He did have a decent year, when he is trying to hit harder, and deeper. If he wants to go in the top 20 for the first time, he then has to be much more consistent.

22 Adrian Mannarino

He has been around for a very long time, week after week, country to country. He can be very odd, with his decisions, but when he his playing, the Frenchman can really throw in some amazing strokes. Yes, he can pretty patient, in the rallies, but also, he has won a few titles, but he never won a huge event. Maybe next time, he will, to go very deep at the Grand Slams. But I doubt that.

21 Francisco Cerundolo

He was pretty slow when he started, and in the first three months, he did not win many matches, but after that, he rose, gradually. The fast player likes on the clay, when he is very consistent, and he also can mix it up. He put together a bunch of good players, such as in Rome, Lyon, and Roland Garros. He must have been into it, even on the grass, as the Argentine won Eastbourne. Just like other players, when they play almost all year, they can get tired. He did, as his forehand and his backhand can be steady, but in the last five months, he did very little. Next year, if he wants to eventually go into the top 10, he has to be enthusiastic when he returns and jump on the ball, more.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Cerundolo, Griepspoor, Korda, Mannarino, Struff

TennisReporters.net top 32 women: No. 32-26

December 9, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

32 Emma Navarro

The American is only 22- years-old, and finally the New Yorker/Charleston is finally understanding what to do in the court. She is somewhat consistent, and she is trying to hit against the good players. Amazingly, she has yet to reach into the third round at the Slams, so clearly, she has a tremendous work to do. She did had a terrific week in San Diego, reaching into the semis, but then she finally lost against Sofia Kenin. However, it was very close, so next year, if she can reach into the top 20, then she will have to attack early, and jump on the return.

31 Lesia Tsurenko

She is recalling aging, but she can be super appropriate, and change it up, a lot. She can mix it around, and chuck in some cool shots. However,she is not that powerful, and while she gets injured, a lot, she can hang in there. But next year, maybe she can attack on the net, more.

30 Jasmine Paolini

It took her for a long time, but the Italian changed her shots, and also, to be more stout, on the rallies. In the fall, she grabbed a few dry matches, with some impressive shots on the lines. However, she has to move forward, more, if she wants to reach into the top 15. Or better.

29 Elise Mertens

At the end of the year, she won Tunisia, which was very solid. She plays all the time, and she is pretty darn proper. Years ago, it looked like that she could very deep again at the Slams, and when she reached into the semis at the 2018 Aussie Ope, but after that, she couldn’t do it again. However, she is pretty darn smart, when she is playing slinging, with some wonderful shots. Yet really, maybe she can play less next year, and practice some different strokes.

28 Anastasia Potapova

The young Russian looked very good, during the first half, but after that, her forehand and her backhand became sloppy. She did win Linz in February, beating Petra Martic, and then it looked like that she would be comfortable at the net. However, she wasn’t thinking enough, and she grew messy. Next year she has to be more patient, and toss in some other shots.

27 Anhelina Kalinina

She is so close to reach the top 25 for the first time. The Ukrainian had a decent year, reaching into the final in Rome, upsetting a few very good players. Yet after that, in June, she did not go deep enough, over the past five months. She can be very fitting, and she can knock it around, side to side, but her forehand can fly away, out. If she wants to progress, she has to improve her serves.

26 Sorana Cirstea

That was a great year by the Romanian, and while she is aging, she put together some terrific wins. At the U.S. Open in the third round, she stunned Elena Rybakir 6-4 in the third round, then she blitz over Belinda Bencic. Finally, she lost, but it was very impressed when she can go early, even on the hardcourts. She does think that she can play even better in 2024, with her return and her forehand, so if she can pull it off, then she should win a big title. She hopes.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Cirstea, Kalinina, Mertens, Navarro, Paolini, Potapova, Tsurenko, wta

TennisReporters.net top 32 men: No. 32-26

December 8, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Felix Auger-Aliassime — Mal Taam/MALTphoto

32 Alexander Bublik
You never know how good he is, when he won a couple events, on the clay and the hardcourts, but also, week after week, he could lose, early. He can be very good, when he is locked in, but also, he disappears. He is tall, and he can blast the ball, yet he can over hit it. He has to change it a little bit, to go deep at the Grand Slams and the ATP 1000s. Good luck.

31 Jiri Lehecka
The Czech had a pretty good start in January, reaching the quarters at the Australian Open. However, in March, the 22- year-old lost a lot of matches, especially to go up against the top 15 players. He can be consistent, and he is pretty quick, but to learn how to throw in some more angles.

30 Tomas Martin Etcheverry
He finally cracked into the top 30, and while he wants to go further, the Argentine must have been thrilled. However, outside on the clay, he still has a lot of work to do. This year he did not beat anyone in the top 15, so if he wants to raise his game, he has to try to mix it up, more, and also, to really push it.

29 Felix Auger-Aliassime
He played so good in the first half of the year, but then, in the summer, he faulted. Perhaps he was hurt, but he threw in some odd shots, so he was confused. He is a terrific player, yet he has to come back and improve with his return and also, at the net.

28 Sebastian Baez
He is pretty young, and the Argentine had some very good matches, on the clay. Certainly, he can grind it, but he still needs to snap the ball, much deeper. If he can improve his forehand and close in the net, then next year, he might be able to burst into the top 20.

27 Lorenzo Musetti
There are so many young players who are trying to go further. The Italian is only 21-years-old, and he started pretty slow, but in Monte Carlo, he upset Novak Djokovic. That might have been his best, ever. After that, he beat more than a few good players, and he was rallying, for a long time. However, he did go into t he top 15 this year, but in the summer and the fall, he lost a lot of matches. Sure, he can enrich his one handed backhand, and slice it, lower.

26 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

The Spaniard its not as good as the former No. 1 Rafa Nadal, but on the court, he can also hustle, a lot. He has not won a tournament ever, but the tough man did reach the ATP 1000 in Monte Carlo last year. That was a great week, but in the last four months, he did win enough matches. Next year, he has to play much better, especially with his serve, and if he does, maybe he can upset the excellent competitor.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: atp, Auger-Aliassime, Bublik, Davidovich Fokina, Etcheverry, Lehecka, Matt Cronin, Matthew Cronin, Musetti

Will the American women get better in 2024?

November 27, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Next year, in 2024, there are at least five Americans players can win a huge event.

Obviously, Coco Gauff won the U.S. Open. The teenager played terrific in the summer, as her forehand had improved. Perhaps next year, she can be even better, when she returns, and she can slice it, even more. Gauff can certainly grab another Grand Slam.

When Jessica Pegula plays stellar, she can were down a lot of people. She had some cool matches, side to side, and she hits the highly balls, very deep. However, at the Grand Slams, she can back off, rather than going for it. The good thing was in the last tournament at the WTA Finals, Pegula didn’t win, but at least she made it into the final, winning four matches in a row, beating her good friend, Gauff, in the semis. That was super impressive. However, the now No. 1 Iga Swiatek crushed her, so, so fast.

As the former multi-champion Martina Navratilova, said, “That was Iga showing that, at her best, she is better than anybody. I mean, in difficult conditions, she just blew right through everybody. She gets into the points better and knows how to close the deal…Now I think maybe Gauff will pass Sabalenka for No.2. But I don’t know if either one of them can get past Iga if she has a good offseason, stays healthy, stays fresh.”

The next stage for the 29-year-old Pegula can finally reach into the semis at the Slams. Somehow, someway. She plays a tremendous amount, but this time, she should practice more, and change it up, rather than just flying each week.

Madison Keys is up and down, nailing a bunch of winners, or she collapses. She has been hurt a lot, even though she has gone vast at the three Slams, especially at the U.S. Open, when she reached the semis, and she was playing stunning. However, in the semis against Aryna Sabalenka, she was so close in the third tiebreaker, and then, she missed some critical error. She was so disappointed. However, if she can play more smart, on the court, and throw in some different spin, then she will have a shot to go bottomless again.

It was pretty surprising that Emma Navarro is now ranked No. 32, given that one year ago, she was No. 148. Talk about her strokes. She is very strong, and muscular, but the 22-year-old can hit it to short. Navarro’s second serve is soft, yet she will try to remedy each year. If she wants to reach into the top 10 next year, that will mean she can continue to insert with her game.

Sofia Kenin won the 2020 Australian Open, and then the next year, she eventually stranded to collapse. She was outside of the top 100, but for a few years, yet in 2023, she became to be serious, and more proper, during the matches. She did beat Navarro in San Diego in the semis in September, which was a very close match. She didn’t win it, but she almost beat Barbora Krejcikova 6-4 in the third set. Kenin still has more work to do, but she also can bash on the lines, into the corners. The crazy thing was when she started in 2023, she was ranked No. 227, but now she is No. 33. What a jump. Yes, she can over hit it, and she can go to early, but when you win a Grand Slam, then she really knew what to do.

Next year, if she continues to be sold, each month, she will have another chance to go endless, especially at the 2024 Aussie Open. Something wonderful.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Americans, coco gauff, Emma Navarro, Jessica Pegula, madison keys, Matthew Cronin, wta

No. 1 Novak Djokovic wins and wins

November 22, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Novak Djokovic can win so many tournaments next year. He is older, for sure, as he is 36-years-old, but in 2023, he beat everyone, especially in the fall. The young players have improved a good amount, and yes, they can upset the Serbian, but they have to jump on him, early. Or Djokovic can be patient, and really chance it up.

In the ATP Finals last week, he beat Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, in the semis and in the final, and he didn’t lose a set. He was essentially perfect.

As his coach, Goran Ivanisevic said: “I think Carlos didn’t play his best tennis. Still you need to beat him,” he said. “Nole lift his game. He came ready. He knew how to play unbelievable matches this year. Carlos already won two Grand Slams and he’s future of tennis. Jannik really step up this year. He showed the world and himself that he’s ready next year to win Grand Slams, and he’s not afraid of anybody.

I think they going to both of them practice hard. The season is over. I think next year’s going to be very, very competitive and interesting year.”

Yes, during the year, he lost some so-so matches, and he lost. But Djokovic kept moving forward, striding, and still learning. He has now won 98 singels titles, which is phenomenal, not only when he has won 23 Grand Slams, but he has won many various events, in Asia, Australia, the United States, Canada, Europe, ext. The huge hitter has also won in the hardcourts, on the clay, in the grass, outside and inside. But he is smarter on court, and perhaps, off the court.

“I knew as soon as [Novak] got into the semifinal, he’s going to win the tournament. The mentality changed,” the Croatian Ivanisevic said. “The new Novak Djokovic arrived on the court from Saturday. When real Novak Djokovic arrives on the court, then the moment is nobody that can play with him.”

When he won the Australian Open for the first time in 2008, Djokovic ran so fast, and he was super steady, but while his backhand was absurd, his forehand, his return and at the net needed to enrich. However, even though he had some difficult seasons, he still drove himself, and he added with different strokes.

“It’s very tough to improve with him (smiling). But he wants to improve,” the one-time 2001 Wimbledon champion. Ivanisevic said. “ That’s the good thing and bad thing for me as a coach and the rest of the team. He improved a lot his volleys, his game at the net, and his position at the net. Now when he comes to the net – okay, today he missed some easy volleys [against [Sinner] – but generally this week and this year he plays some amazing volleys. His position at the net is a lot better. Is very tough to pass him. Before he was very easy to pass. Now he knows what he’s doing at the net. He’s comfortable at the net. Final of U.S. Open he played two, three most important volleys in the final against [beating Daniil Medvedev]. He’s not afraid to come to the net. He’s hitting the forehands much, much harder. He’s going for the shots. Serving, second serve, sometimes he’s hitting over 200. He’s just going for it.”

Yes he did, and he still wants to be perfect, at the net. In January, Djokovic can win another Australian Open. Clearly he will be the favorite. But eventually, the older you get, it is hard to sprint very fast. However, in 2024, he could do it again. He will make a huge effort.

Will anyone win a Slam next year? Maybe. Clearly, Alcaraz is very young and he is improving, so he could win one Slam, or two. You can throw in with Sinner, who had a terrific fall, but he has yet to win Slam, so in December, he must be thinking about how to return, deeper, and also, at the tough, nets.
The American men had a solid year, overall, but no one reached into the final at the Slams. OK, maybe next year. Five of them are in the top 25 with Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe , Ben Shelton and Sebastian Korda. They are still pretty young, so they could rise, higher, but to beat Djokovic, or the rest of the top eight players, they will have to be much deeper, about exactly what to do. Please.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Ben Shelton, Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe, Goran Ivanisevic, Jannik Sinner, Matthew Cronin, Novak Djokovic, Sebastian Korda, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul

ATP Finals day 8: Novak Djokovic over Jannik Sinner

November 18, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Novak Djokovic over Jannik Sinner

A few days ago, Jannik Sinner upset Novak Djokovic in three terrific sets. Before he started to play, he must have thought that when his forehand and his backhand could be super consistent, and to stay in there, and also, not to risk it all the time. In the third set, he knew that to win the contest, he has to changed it up. a lot. He certainly did, and he won it 7-6(2) in the third set in in Turin, Italy. He finally figured it out.

“It doesn’t really matter the matches before, how they have been. Especially with this format, you can win against one, but after you can lose. It’s different,” Sinner said. “But still happy that I can go one more time on the court here in Turin [Italy]. Good atmosphere. Hopefully I can show some good tennis.”

Djokovic occasionally can miss the ball, with his thoughts, but he will go for it, once again. He is a terrific return, and his backhand going cross-court is murders. On Saturday, he nailed Carlos Alcaraz very quickly, out-hitting him in straight sets, with everything. At Wimbledon, in the semis on the grass, Djokovic beat Sinner in three sets. The Italian was erratic, in the match, but now, Djokovic thinks that Sinner has improved during the fall.

“He just played a fantastic match. That’s what I told him at the net,” Djokovic said after the Italian beat him this week. “I think in the most important moments, he played his best game and he absolutely deserved to win.”

Sinner has gone deep over the past two years, with some wonderful days, but also, in the matches, he did some critically points. Djokovic can slip, here and there, but not much. Therefore, the No. 1 will win it again, beating Sinner 7-5, 6-7, 6-3. The that will be 98 titles by Djokovic. Talk about phenomenal.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: atp finals, Jannik Sinner, Matt Cronin, Matthew Cronin, Novak Djokovic, Turin

ATP Finals day 7: Sinner over Medvedev, Djokovic over Alcaraz

November 18, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Jannik Sinner over Daniil Medevev (written on Friday)

In Italy, Jannik Sinner is on fire, hitting some massive strokes. He has won all three in the ATP Finals, so clearly, he will have to rocking and rolling. However, he will face against Daniil Medvedev on Saturday, and the Russian has beaten him all six times. He edged him 7-6, 7-6 in Beijing, China in the final, last month, so the Italian was darn close, but now, he will have to change it up, or attack, earlier. He also lost against Medvedev in Vienna in the final, too, pushing him back in three tough sets.

“It’s obviously a little bit more pressure, but it is kind of a positive pressure. I like to be in this situation,” said Sinner. “I had never beaten Holger Rune and I it was clear that it was going to be a great battle. This is an important victory for me & I know I have a great opportunity to do something important on Saturday. I like to have some pressure.”.”

Medvedev has to, as the Russian realizes exactly way to go, to hit the right shots, and he can also pound it, point after point. He did win two matches, but against Carlos Alcaraz, he looked fair, yet he needed to smash the ball, early. This time, though, he has beaten him a lot, so he might do the same things.

“At this moment Sinner in top form. I felt like in Vienna I made a good response to what he did in Beijing, but I still lost. I need to be even better, to respond better to his shots.” said Medvedev

Anyone can lose for ever, against the best players, but once in a while, you can play tremendous, and stick in there. This time, will finally snag it, and Sinner will win 5-7, 6-4, 6-4

Novak Djokovic over Carlos Alcaraz

Is this really true that Carlos Alcaraz spoke with his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, when he was struggling this week, early, and current, he is happy again. That must be true as the former one time Roland Garros champion Ferrero looked very good for years, but also, he was depressed. However, he is pushing himself, and now, Alcaraz is understanding what to do.

He has to, as he must face against the No. 1 Djokovic. That will be a huge challenger.

“I opened my eyes. This is the last tournament of the year and I have to give everything I have.We also spoke about the level and what I had to do,” Alcaraz said. “I realized that my game depends on whether or not I enjoy myself, whether or not I smile. At the end of the day, that’s the most important thing for me. Obviously, the joy and the smile have returned to my game and I think that was reflected in the matches.”

He did and on Saturday, at night, Alcaraz will have to play backhand to backhand, as the No. 1 is usually nearly perfect. They have played each other four times, mostly very close, and they have split each other. The Serbian beat him at Roland Garros, and then the Spaniard took him out at Wimbledon.

Also, Djokovic out-hit him in August, in Cincinnati, on the hardcourts. Alcaraz realizes that to come into the net, when he can, and also, to return, respectably, then he will have another great chance to beat him.

“I’m going to try and find my A-game,” Alcaraz said.

Djokovic has lost a few times, this year, and his forehand could go off, but in the third set, he will raise his game, and he will win it 6-4, 6-7, 6-4.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: atp finals, Carlos Alcaraz, daniil medvedev, Jannik Sinner, Matt Cronin, Novak Djokovic, Turin

ATP Finals day 6: Alcaraz over Medvedev, Zverev over Rublev

November 16, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Carlos Alcaraz over Daniil Medvedev
Will Carlos Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev for the second time this year and advance into the semis? That is possible, although Alexander Zverev took him down in the first match. He looked a little bit erratic, with his forehand and his serves, yet against Andrey Rublev, he recovered.

Now, the two time Grand Slam has to play even better, as the Russian, Medvedev, is super steady, again, and his forehand down the line is terrific. He knows that on the fast hard courts, he has to bring him down. At the U.S. Open, in the semis, Medvedev played as well as he could, beating him in four sets. Alcaraz will have to changed it up

“Medvedev is one of the best players in the world. … You have to play very well tactically, be patient and aggressive at the same time. It’s very difficult to beat him,” Alcaraz said. “You have to wait for the opportunity, but run and be calm, and get five or six shots in per point until the chance comes, while being aware that often it won’t.”

Of course, he realizes that the Spaniard can get enthusiastic, and bash his backhand. Or is he could, he can kiss it on the net. Alcaraz did beat him in the semis at Wimbledon and the Indian Wells, so he will be ready to face off.

Medvedev might changed it up, and surprise him.

“I’m going to try my best to play Carlos,” said Medvedev. “The moment you relax and say to yourself, ‘Maybe this match I can go easier,’ you can lose all the rhythm. That’s how tennis is. … So I need to play fast.”

Alcaraz has had a good fall, but not specular. Medvedev has also been up and down, but on Friday, he will hit some phenomenal winners, in the third set, and he will take it 4-6, 7-6, 6-4.

Alexander Zverev over Andrey Rublev
Andrey Rublev has not had a good week, at all. Not all the times, but too frequently. Alexander Zverev did beat Alcaraz, so from the backcourt, he slammed a number of winners. He has yet to win a Grand Slam, even though he has come close, and Zverev really does think that if he can be healthy, then he will have a chance next year.

The big thing, though is that Zverev has won the ATP Finals twice, in 2018 and 2021. That was very impressive. One way another, at night, he has to win, or go home.
The German will win, 7-5, 6-3.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, atp finals, Carlos Alcaraz, daniil medvedev, Matthew Cronin, Turin

ATP Finals day 5: Sinner over Rune, Djokovic over Hurkacz

November 16, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Jannik Sinner over Holger Rune
The two young people will face off on Thursday in Italy when Jannik Sinner could win another tremendous match, when he upset against the No. 1, Novak Djokovic, 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(2). In the third tiebreaker, he hit some phenomenal backhands and his forehands, too. He also returned darn deep, and true.

“I think I was really brave and intelligent in important moments, especially the third set,” Sinner said.

However, now he has to be consistent, day after day, when he will play against Holger Rune. While the Danish has had a very good year, but not great, yet, but hopefully, his strokes will be harder. Also, he has to be patient, and at times, mix it up. On the clay in Monte-Carlo in the semis, he edged Sinner 7-5 in the third set. He knows that the fans will be cheering very loud, as the Italian is totally absorbed, but still, he can out-hit him, forehand to forehand. Or maybe not.

“[Sinner] can do whatever he wants on the court,” Rune said. “He can hit a great forehand, great backhand, great volley. Great movement, serve, everything. Obviously it’s more tough here in Italy to play him. I’m just going to prepare.”

Then he can, and it will be very close, maybe for three hours, but in the third set, Sinner will punch him in the chin, and win it 7-5, 3-6, 7-5.

Novak Djokovic over Hubert Hurkacz

Djokovic did beat Rune in a marathon, so he is split, 1-1. If he wants to reach into the semis, then he has to beat Hubert Hurkacz to move on. The Polish person Hurkacz just started playing as he is replacement with Stefanos Tsitsipas, who is injured.

Djokovic really wants to reach into the semis, so he will battle, point after point. The 36-year-old says it is pretty standard to lose, and then, to win it again. “It’s normal to lose some of my matches like this (against Sinner), but I have to be content with the fighting spirit. I managed to make a comeback from set down, break down in the third set,” Djokovic said. “ Played in really challenging and difficult conditions on the court. I’m proud of the fight that I put in. It just wasn’t enough for the win.”

This time, Djokovic did beat Hurkacz 6-3, 7-5.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: atp finals, Holger Rune, Hubert Hurkacz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Turin

ATP Finals day 3: Rune over Tsitsipas, Djokovic over Sinner

November 14, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Holger Rune over Stefanos Tsitsipas
Holger Rune played over three hours, and in the third set, he was capable of upsetting Novak Djokovic, but he could not, as the No. 1 Serbian was more intense. The young player Rune looked terrific at times, doing down the lines, toe-to-toe with there backhands, yet he could not shake it off.
Perhaps on Tuesday, he will have to recover, and then when the match begins, be can push Tsitsipas. Of course, at the ATP Finals in front of the crowds, almost everyone wants to show themselves.

The Greek has had some fascinating matches, this year, very good, with a lot of top spin, but also, he can trip himself. He lost somewhat easily when he went down versus Sinner, as he did not serve and the return deep enough. Because of that, he will do it again,and the Danish Rune will win it 6-4, 6-7, 6-3.

Novak Djokovic over Jannik Sinner
This is the first time that the No. 1 Djokovic and Sinner have played in the hardcourts. Yes, they have had some cool matches, especially at Wimbledon, twice, on the grass, and while the Serbian out-hit him, but the Italian was somewhat strong. Yes, Djokovic has a better backhand, and with his serve, and also, when he throws in a bunch of winners at the net. Really, to beat Djokovic, he will have to take a long of risks, inside the court. He has to push early, and try to attack him when he gets a real chance. He has had an excellent fall, as Sinner began to be more consistent. Plus, he has also become more quicker, when he runs, and he also can mix it up, a lot.

As Sinner said, “You know, staying humble and working hard and everything, for me, are the main reasons why I am here. And I know we’ll continue to do this. And obviously in my mind, I know that I can improve.”

Of course he can upset him, at one point, but Djokovic is still more thoughtful, point to point. Djokovic will win it 6-7, 6-3, 6-2.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: atp finals, Holger Rune, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Turin