Jannik Sinner will face Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Six Kings Slam, the very rich exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The South Tyrolean tennis player, number 1 in the ATP ranking, won the semi-final over Novak Djokovic in three sets, 6-2 6-7 6-4 in 2 hours and 27 minutes of play while in the ‘who spoke Spanish’ match Alcaraz had the better of Rafa Nadal in two sets (6-3, 6-3). We return to the pitch next Saturday on the fast hard courts of Saudi Arabia.
The first set of the blue
In the first half Sinner got off to a great start immediately, winning the first three games. Then Djokovic shows his determination and wins two games, but the blue player eventually wins the set 6-2.
The second set of the blue
Much more balanced than the initial one, with the Serbian winning the first two games. Then the comeback of the world number 1 reaches 3-2. The following games are also a duel on equal terms until 6-6, but in the end it is the Serbian who prevails in the tie-break.
The third set of the blue
At the wire, with Djokovic initially taking the lead and Sinner chasing him until 2-2. The fifth game is infinite, it lasts more than 11 minutes for 16 points in total, in the end the Serbian wins it with an ace.
However, Sinner comes back. At 3-3 Neymar Jr, Al-Hilal striker, also enters the stadium, accompanied by boos from the crowd. It’s at 4-4 that the match heats up with the South Tyrolean ahead by a game after having ‘stolen’ the serve from Djokovic who makes mistakes that aren’t ‘his’.
“I got nervous, it happens when you’re tired”
After the hard-fought victory over Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner shows all his satisfaction in the interviews at the end of the match: “I played the final in Shanghai a few days ago against Nole. We’re both a little tired, but we tried to stay there and fight Thank you to all the public for supporting us.” Ahead 4-3, Sinner suffered the counter-break, but didn’t panic. “These matches can change quickly: Novak made few mistakes at that moment and played very well. I hope that Saturday’s final will be a great match.” Some thought that this was just an exhibition, but when Sinner and Djokovic are on the court it is never a banal match. “We took it seriously, trying to give our best. We know each other very well, we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. My calm? I got a little nervous today, it happens when I’m tired. I’m happy to have another chance on Saturday. I don’t feel very fresh but I will try to give the best show possible for the public.”
Jannik Sinner beat Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-0, 6-3 on Wednesday. “It was an incredible match considering I arrived a couple of days ago – Jannik’s words immediately after the victory -. I was curious to come here, it’s a special place. This performance is something very new, I hope you enjoyed it and that you will enjoy the next meetings. It’s my first time in Riyadh, I haven’t had the chance to see it much yet. But the people here are very nice, they were close to us”.
Sinner: “Being number 1 is special, it’s the result of a lot of work”
Always for Sinner,”coming in number 1 was a special moment. I have worked and am working hardis the result of many years of work. The end of last season, the victory in Davis, was also special. Winning the 2024 Australian Open gave me a lot of confidence, but as I always say the important thing is to keep improving”.
