Jannik Sinner becomes the first semi-finalist at Wimbledon by defeating Jan-Lennard Struff in three sets (7-5, 7-6, 6-3). The Italian will face the winner of the match between Novak Djokovic and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Jannik Sinner is now in the semi-finals of Wimbledon. The Italian, world number one, defeated Jan-Lennard Struff on Monday by 7-5, 7-6, and 6-3 in one hour and 58 minutes of play. The German, one of the tournament's revelations, put up a fight but could not withstand the solidity of the reigning champion.
Struff put up a fight but Sinner resolved the key points
Struff reached the quarter-finals after eliminating Daniil Medvedev and Hubert Hurkacz, backed by a devastating serve: in the second round, he recorded 45 aces. Against Sinner, the German troubled the number one throughout the match, but in the decisive moments, the Italian demonstrated his class.
In the first set, with the score at 5-5, Sinner broke Struff's serve and closed the set at 7-5. It was a closely contested set, where serves dominated until the end. The second set was even tighter. Struff had a set point at 5-4 in his favour, but Sinner responded with an unreturnable first serve.
The Italian showed signs of nervousness, almost anxiety, as observed on the court. He is not managing the pressure of being the top favourite and the obligation to win the tournament very well. However, in the tie-break, he raised his level and took the set 7-6 (7-5). In the third set, an early break was enough to steer the match in his favour, closing it out at 6-3.
The semi-final opponent: Djokovic or Auger-Aliassime
Sinner now awaits the winner of the match between Novak Djokovic and Felix Auger-Aliassime. A potential clash with the Serbian is particularly intriguing, as Djokovic eliminated Sinner at the Australian Open earlier this year. The Italian seeks to defend his title in London and avenge that defeat.
The number one has not been shining excessively in this edition, but it has been enough for him to progress through the rounds. He has not faced significant obstacles so far; the semi-finals will be his first major test. If Djokovic advances, it will be a high-voltage match between two of the best in the world.
For tennis fans, this encounter holds a story of revenge. Sinner wants to prove he can beat the Serbian on grass, a surface where Djokovic has been champion seven times. The semi-final match is scheduled for Friday, July 10, on Wimbledon’s Centre Court.
“He is not shining excessively, but Sinner remains Sinner. And that is already a lot,” summarised the analysis of the match, referring to his ability to win even without his best tennis.
The 24-year-old Italian has now achieved 12 consecutive victories on grass and aspires to his second consecutive title at the All England Club. For now, he has completed the first step: being among the last four. Now it’s time to make a statement.
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