Jannik Sinner rules men’s tennis in 2024! The Italian won 73 of 79 matches and collected eight ATP titles and the Davis Cup trophy for his country. Alongside many records, Jannik achieved a special feat mirrored only by Roger Federer.
Sinner clinched a set in every of 79 encounters in 2024. The last player who ousted world no. 1 in straight sets was Novak Djokovic in the 2023 ATP Finals title clash. Jannik clinched his first Masters 1000 crown in Canada a year ago and fell to Dusan Lajovic a week later in Cincinnati.
Novak Djokovic & Jannik Sinner, ATP Finals 2023© Stream screenshot
Since the US Open, it has become almost impossible to topple the Italian in straight sets, with Novak being the only player to achieve that in Turin. A few days earlier, Sinner defeated Djokovic in the round-robin stage after a thriller. The two rivals met again in the final, and the legend stroked back.
November 14th: Sinner defeats Djokovic in the Round Robin.
November 19th: Djokovic defeats Sinner in the final.
Nobody defeats @DjokerNole twice in the same tournament. pic.twitter.com/cpy4hM1u9E
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 19, 2023
Djokovic’s masterclass against Sinner in Turin 2023
Jannik failed to perform at his best while chasing a notable title in front of the home fans. He struggled physically and could not match Djokovic’s level. Novak produced a 6-3, 6-3 victory in an hour and 43 minutes, winning the record-breaking seventh ATP Finals trophy.
Djokovic claimed his 98th ATP title and the seventh of the season. He cemented the year-end no. 1 spot, stopping the clock and leaving the younger opponents behind at 36. Novak outplayed Jannik on serve and return, surviving one challenging service game and pressuring the young gun.
Jannik Sinner & Novak Djokovic, ATP Finals 2023© Stream screenshot
The veteran delivered efficient numbers behind the first and second serve. He denied two break points in the only troubled service game and challenged the home favorite to follow those numbers. Sinner failed to impose his strokes and struggled behind the initial shot.
The 22-year-old played against eight break points, suffering three breaks and finishing runner-up. The legend tamed his strokes nicely, finishing the duel with 18 winners and 11 unforced errors. He welcomed over 30 unforced mistakes from his opponent and sailed over the top.
Djokovic had the upper hand in the shortest, mid-range and most extended exchanges. He outplayed Sinner in every segment and lifted the trophy in style.
Best Performances since 2023 according to TennisViz Insights 📊
1. 🇷🇸 Djokovic – 9.75 (ATP Finals 2023 Final )
2.🇮🇹Sinner – 9.63 (Miami 2023 R16)
3.🇮🇹Sinner – 9.64 (Miami 2024 Final)
4.🇷🇺Medvedev – 9.61 (Dubai Final 2023)
5.🇷🇸 Djokovic – 9.59 (ATP Finals 2023 Semi Finals) pic.twitter.com/1ZaJmR4pmw
— NickAlly (@nick_ally1986) August 13, 2024
Novak makes a reliable start
The more experienced player was off to a perfect start. He dropped two points in five service games in the opening set, keeping the pressure on the other side. The Serb drew the Italian’s mistake in the first game of the match for a hold at love and landed a service winner two games later for 2-1.
Jannik experienced a blow in the fourth game despite leading 40-15. The home favorite faced a break point after a loose forehand. He sent another forehand wide to lose serve and propel the legend 3-1 in front. Novak cemented the lead with a forced error in game five.
Novak Djokovic, ATP Finals 2023© Stream screenshot
Sinner reduced the deficit with a hold at 15 in game six before the six-time champion grabbed the next one at love with a service winner. Jannik served to stay in the set at 2-5. He clinched the game with a powerful serve and wished for a chance on the return in the next one.
Instead, Novak landed a service winner for three set points. He seized the first after the rival’s slice error, clinching the opener 6-3 in 38 minutes and gathering a boost.
Djokovic seals the deal in straight sets
Jannik struggled with his movement and timing at the beginning of the second set and faced issues. He sprayed a slice error, losing serve at love and sending Novak a set and a break in front. The 24-time Major winner closed the second game at love with an ace, settling into a fine rhythm.
The Serb grabbed the opening two return points in the third game, rattling off 14 points and controlling the scoreboard. Djokovic generated three break points and missed a routine forehand on the second. Sinner denied the remaining two with winners and held with a service winner.
Novak Djokovic, ATP Finals 2023© Stream screenshot
Novak left those chances behind and claimed the fourth game at love with a service winner for 3-1. The Italian secured the fifth game with a smash winner at the net, remaining within one break deficit. Sinner stepped in on the return in game six.
He moved 30-0 up with a backhand crosscourt winner and welcomed Djokovic’s loose forehand for two break points. The defending champion canceled them with service winners and drew the rival’s forehand mistake for a notable hold and a 4-2 advantage.
Jannik netted a routine forehand on a game point in game seven. The crowd favorite squandered five more game points, missing the finishing touch. He offered Novak two break points and denied them, holding with a booming serve after 16 minutes and presenting his fighting spirit.
Novak Djokovic, ATP Finals 2023© Stream screenshot
The Italian drew the Serb’s mistake in the eighth game for 30-0. Djokovic claimed the following three points for a game point and missed a backhand to bring his rival back to deuce. Jannik had a massive chance to generate a break point but missed a routine forehand.
World no. 1 painted an ace on a game point, forging a 5-3 advantage and keeping the pressure on the other side. Sinner lost the ground after that chance he missed, struggling behind the initial shot while serving to stay in the match in game nine.
He missed a forehand drive-volley for 15-30 and grabbed the next point with an ace. Still, the young gun netted a forehand and experienced a match point. Jannik hit a double fault, ending his resistance and sending Novak over the top.
Tennis World USA