Jannik Sinner took the tennis world by storm with a stunning run to the French Open quarterfinals. He beat the vaunted Novak Djokovic, 24-time Grand Slam winner, in a brutally contested match. Sinner’s victory, with a score of 6-4, 7-5, 7-6, not only ended Djokovic’s bid for a record-extending 38th Grand Slam final but marked Sinner’s place in history as the second Italian man to reach the French Open final, following Adriano Panatta’s achievement in 1976.
Their final match held on Friday, at Roland Garros. Djokovic was looking to capture his eighth French Open championship while adding to his incredible 19-match winning streak in Grand slam events. By the time this final rolled around, Djokovic was already a winner both at the US Open and Australian Open earlier in the year. His victories made that dominance all-spanning.
Sinner’s performance was characterized by his aggressive style and strategic play, which left Djokovic with limited opportunities throughout the match. Particularly in the first two sets, Sinner showcased his maturity beyond his years with his composure in high-pressure moments. He capitalized on pivotal opportunities to break ahead. Djokovic battled tooth and nail in the third set, flashing some of that famous comeback skill that’s defined his career. He choked in the tiebreak, netting a straightforward smash on the net. After falling behind 3-0, he lost in the end when his forehand caught the top of the tape on the second match point.
This victory catapults Sinner to his fourth major title chance overall, another landmark moment for the young Italian star. The 21-year-old’s victory over Djokovic on Sunday further solidified a historic passing of the torch in men’s tennis. More importantly, he is solidifying his status among the game’s top players.
