Wimbledon 2023, Semi Finals, Friday, 14/07/2023
.. and someone tries again! It remains the great art in top men’s tennis to beat that one player who just doesn’t seem beatable anymore. At least when the really big tournaments call.
In Wimbledon, the semi-final matches are scheduled for Friday. In one of the two matches, of course, the old champion from Serbia is waiting, who is already the sole record holder at Grand Slams.
Do we need to mention that he is the clear favourite at Bwin and Co. in his match? Probably not! In my Sinner Djokovic tip, I will now reveal which duel I expect and why I consider a tiebreak to be set here!
Novak Djokovic – and then? Even before the start of Wimbledon, the experts were unanimous: Only one person can win the title. He has already won the Australian and French Opens, and now trophy number 3 is to follow.
There is actually something that the great Novak has not yet achieved: winning all four major finals. On Sunday, number three could follow, but the step to the final still has to be taken.
Three straight wins and two in four sets, that is the Serbian record so far. Against Pedro Cachin (6-3, 6-3, 7-6), Jordan Thompson (6-3, 7-6, 7-5) and Stan Wawrinka (6-1, 6-3, 7-6), the Serb has not yet had to go completely to the limit.
But he was put to a tough test in the round of 16 against Hubert Hurkacz. He was lucky in the first two sets, won two tiebreaks and was able to relax with a night’s rest.
He then lost set number three 5-7, but kept his nerve. With a 6-4 he entered the round of the best eight, but he really had to give everything. He also had a little wobble against Andrey Rublev
Djokovic quickly regained his composure and won the match 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3. Winning 75% of his first serve points and giving up eight break opportunities (although only one was allowed), the 36-year-old has been stronger before!
In the four matches before, there were only five chances for a break, and the record champion served with 90% of the points won at Grand Slams. What form will he show in the semi-finals?
It was eleven years ago that he last lost in the current round. Back then, he lost to Roger Federer, then number 3 in the world. Does Jannik Sinner also have what it takes to inflict another defeat on the Djoker?
Nobody has forgotten what happened between the two on the Holy Lawn almost exactly a year ago. In the quarter-finals, Sinner was sensationally ahead 7-5, 6-2 before Djokovic finally turned it on and secured a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Jannik Sinner knows, of course, that it takes an incredible day to beat the Djoker in a Grand Slam semi-final. Also because the current round is completely new territory for him.
Although the South Tyrolean has been world class for years, it was only now that he was able to take the decisive step and also make a semi-final for once. Admittedly: He also has a bit of luck or the draw to thank for that.
After a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 win over Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the opening round, he beat Diego Schwartzman 7-5, 6-1, 6-2, followed by a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 win over Quentin Halys. In the round of 16, Daniel Elahi Galan was not an absolute top man either.
Sinner won 7-6, 6-4, 6-3, finally made it to the last 8, where he usually loses out at a Grand Slam. However, he was facing Roman Safiullin, again not a top class player.
At 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, the Italian was only shaken for a short time, and in the end he cheered about a milestone in his career. 90% points won on first serve were a key to success, the only time his score in this category broke 80.
On paper, Jannik Sinner can hardly hold a candle to Novak Djokovic. 46 semi-finals at Grand Slams compare to the first. So the point in terms of experience, it clearly goes to Serbia.
Djokovic only had problems against Hubert Hurkacz, his first serve was brilliant. But: That’s exactly what we saw with Jannnik Sinner. The Italian wants to look carefree, to create a big sensation.
Although he had to fight quite easy opponents in London, he always kept his nerve. In the end, I favour the Djoker, but I believe that both will serve strongly. Consequently, my tip is:
There will be at least one tiebreak!
