Semi-final preview: Sinner vs Djokovic

So much for theories. This is a Grand Slam, Djokovic’s home turf. The surface beneath his feet matters not; the venue is unimportant. If it is a Grand Slam, Djokovic is in his element and the form book be damned.

“Multiple first match losses at the big tournaments, Masters events tournaments: of course, that wasn't a great feeling,” he said. “It's something that I haven't experienced for many years. But it's no secret: it's all about Grand Slams for me, trying to raise the level and play my best tennis at these four tournaments, and this is what I have been managing to do.”

His four-set win over Alexander Zverev on Wednesday night was proof positive to the Serb that his struggles on the regular tour were irrelevant; he was still in contention at the Slams. He survived the German’s early onslaught and then simply got better and better. There was nothing Zverev could do to stop him.

“To win the quarters against Zverev proves to myself and others that I can still play on the highest level,” he said, “and I just thrive on these occasions.”

He will need that sort of confidence against Jannik Sinner. Their rivalry stands at four wins apiece – Djokovic has beaten the Italian on clay, grass and once on a hard court. Their last three meetings have been on hard courts and Sinner has won them all, the last time in China last year.

Click here to read article