Sinner surpasses Zverev with a mature performance: impeccable serve and ability to raise the level in key moments. The blue flies to the semifinals
Beating Zverev wasn’t easy. Beating him in two sets was even more difficult. Yet, mission accomplished for Jannik Sinner. The Italian reaches the semi-finals of the ATP Finals in Turin with a round to spare, beating the German with a score of 6-4, 6-3 in just over an hour and a half. A victory that confirms the mental and technical strength of the Italian champion, capable of maintaining calm and clarity in moments of maximum pressure.
Sinner got through to the semi-final from first in the groupa result that certifies his continuity in a tournament that sees him once again as a protagonist. Friday 14 November he will close the group against the American Ben Sheltonin a match that will above all serve to consolidate confidence and rhythm.
Where Sinner was superior
The match highlighted a clear difference in the management of important points. Zverev confirmed the solidity of the serve, but his straight proved to be the least reliable shot once againoften fouled in decisive moments. Sinner, on the contrary, was able to read the situation perfectly: he waited for the German’s mistake and, when he could, pushed with his backhand to open up the field and command the exchange. And he even risked some winning drops, at the right time.
Every time Zverev seemed capable of reversing the inertia, Sinner raised the quality of his tennisconfirming himself as cold, lucid and capable of maintaining control. It is in this management of crucial moments that the South Tyrolean made the difference.
Service makes the difference
If there is a fundamental that it shifted the balance, it was without a doubt the Sinner service. In the moments in which Zverev had the chance to get back into the match – seven break points disallowed – the blue responded with powerful and precise firsts.
Despite some difficulty on the second (7 out of 20 points won), Jannik compensated with extraordinary effectiveness in moments of pressure, transforming the serve into a defensive and offensive weapon at the same time. One break per set was enough to close the case and manage every comeback attempt with confidence.
And say that Zverev certainly is (after Sinner and Alcaraz) winning candidate of the tournamentbut he has a score to settle with himself and with history: at twenty-eight, with two Finals already won (2018 and 2021), he still lacks that damn Slam which would give a different touch to a brilliant but always supporting career.
Forward in the tournament, with confidence and maturity
The performance against Zverev is yet another confirmation of Sinner’s complete maturity (if there was still a need), now capable of controlling the pace and dominating even very high level opponents. With the semi-final already in your pocket, Jannik will be able to face the last match of the group with serenity, aware that his tennis today is excellent tennis, on par with a world number one.
In the post-match, Sinner also found time for mention my friend and compatriot Lorenzo Musettiprotagonist of a heroic victory on November 11th against the Australian Alex De Minaur: «There wasn’t (in this match) Lorenzo’s level», jokes the number one in Italian tennis, paying homage to Musetti’s feat and his technical prowess.
Remote comparison (at least for now) between Alcaraz and Sinner is undoubtedly the leitmotif of these Finals. The two phenomena compete not only for the title but also for the scepter of world number one. Both have proven convincing, and (barring unforeseen circumstances) yet another final is looming which will fuel the flame of the most heartfelt rivalry in contemporary tennis.
