Sinner calms Djokovic’s attempted reaction and advances to the final of the Six Kings Slam in Saudi

Add and continue Jannik sinner in 2024. No matter the rival, the location or the surface, the scales generally tip in its favor. This time it was Novak Djokovic his victim (6-2, 6-7, 6-4), who sold his skin dearly but did not succeed in overthrowing the great Italian tennis player who is heading towards a new final, that of the Six Kings Slam.

The first set was a work of art. He minimized his rival as much as possible with a feast of winning shots against which the Serb could do nothing. He suffered and lost due to details in the second round tie-break, but he remained cold in the most delicate moment and ended up having a hot potato.

Sinner has excessive ambition and this tournament is a clear example of that. He’s had an impeccable year, but he still wants more. And the scales tend to tip in their favor. Djokovic sold his skin dearly, but the talent of the transalpine ended up imposing itself.

He has one step left for the 6 million euros, the prize awarded by the Saudi championship to the winner, and he will have to do it against a Spanish tennis player. It will be Nadal either Alcarazhis nemesis in 2024, but he arrives with the confidence to scare away any kind of ghost.

Without pity

Far from slowing down after giving a good performance against Medvedev, Sinner continued to improve his performance and completely erased Djokovic from the map in a first set which did not reach the half-hour mark. A tennis recital from the back of the court and a tying of a ‘Nole’ unable to stop the Italian wind.

Sinner broke the Serb’s serve at the first opportunity and headed straight to the Six Kings Slam final. Djokovic entered the clash a little more sleepy and ended up paying dearly in the first set. With Sinner, if you shake his hand, he will take your arm and that’s what he did despite his opponent’s gradual improvement. He did not give up the ground gained and sealed the first round with great authority.

Infinite parallel shots, a few drop shots and a very good first serve, all added to several unforced errors from “Nole”, were enough for Sinner to start to tip the scales in his favor.

Djokovic had to improve if he wanted to get something positive out of this adventure in Saudi Arabia. He needed to change plans and find a way out of the mousetrap Jannik had trapped him in.

Details

Djokovic is really Djokovic. He resists and rises from his ashes to equalize in a match almost written in Chinese. He found the big Italian player’s weaknesses and started the second set with a break that seemed to give him plenty of breathing room.

Sinner was quick to react to tie the match and the match entered a phase in which no one gave up their serve, thus extending the set to a tie-break. There was no color and the Serb slammed the table with a 7-0 which provoked applause from the supporters. The party would last for a while longer.

And the last set was an ode to tennis. A constant breakdown from the two players who held the match as best they could. Everyone forgave many break points, but it was ultimately Sinner who delivered the final blow. He broke Djokovic to make it 5-4 and in the final game he left no room for an upset.