Jannik Sinner has been tipped as one of the only two men that can challenge the defending champion Carlos Alcaraz at the New York major that starts in a month’s time. The young Italian has recorded quarterfinal or better run at every major he has played this year and Goran Ivanisevic who is backing the Serbian to extend his Grand Slam tally to 24 at the US Open has respect and praise for the player.
“Alcaraz is a story by himself, and Sinner is the only one who can threaten him at the US Open, along with Novak,” claims the 2001 Wimbledon champion.
He continued, “The game that Sinner has doesn’t match Alcaraz and they have had very interesting matches so far. Also, if [Daniil] Medvedev plays well on the day, he is also a phenomenal player for me.
“Novak remains the only ‘dinosaur’ among those older ones, the rest are all young guys. It’s a normal sequence, but there’s still something to ask the elders.”
The duo (Alcaraz and Sinner) clashed at the quarters in last year US Open and their meeting was an absolute thriller as the Spaniard came from behind to save a match point before going on to win the whole thing in 5-sets. However, the score-settling Sinner bounced back to take their most recent clash at Indian wells semis, 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2, earlier this year.
Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry has been developed into one of the highly anticipated matchup at any surface on the ATP circuit and Novak’s coach gave his verdict on that:
“It will be an interesting rivalry. Each of their matches is tense. There is no one who can stay in a long match with Alcaraz except Sinner and Djokovic. Those who cannot stay for long at Alcaraz’s pace can immediately pack their rackets and go home.”
The next-gen fellows and ATP tour top guns can meet at the Canadian Open next week with Djokovic pulling out of the tourney because of Wimbledon fatigue.
Ivansevic: Alcaraz is a Miracle as a Player
Talking to Croatian media, the Novak coach also commented on the Wimbledon final between his player and the 20-year Spaniard: “I’m still a little in shock from that final. [Djokovic] said it all in his speech after the match: some finals he should have lost, then he won them, and some he should have won, then he lost. In the end, Novak had a lot of chances that he didn’t take. Alcaraz played braver, more decisively when he needed to, he was better that day and won the match.”
All praise for the 2023 Wimbledon Champion, he added: “As a person he is phenomenal, and as a player I am speechless, it’s a miracle. The energy he brings to the court, the way he plays… He’s always smiling, even when he loses, it’s amazing.”
Meanwhile, with revenge on his mind, Ivanisevic’s man Djokovic will make a return to the US Open after missing the event for a couple of years. His last year appearance came in 2021 when he was bidding to complete the calendar slam but lost to Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. The Serbian once will be looking to avenge both the 2021 loss against Russian and this year’s Wimbledon’s crown slipping through his fingers against the Spaniard in a five-set epic.
Novak was the defending titlist at SW19 when the 20-year old outlasted him and now Alcaraz – who steal the trophy his absence because of Covid-19 restrictions – plays to defend his Silverware at New York major. The 23-time Slam winner will certainly attempt to stop the cruising Spaniard and dethrone him but a quiet and dangerous also hangs between them.
Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jannik Sinner Head-to-Head
Alcaraz and Sinner have played six times on the main ATP tour, with the Italian wrapping up the most recent contest as victor in Floridian Masters in a series of cat and mouse encounters.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner: 3-3
2021: Alcaraz beat Sinner, 7-6(1) 7-5 at Paris Masters
2022: Sinner beat Alcaraz, 6-1 6-4 6(8)-7 6-3 at Wimbledon
– Sinner beat Alcaraz, 6(5)-7 6-1 6-1 at Umag
– Alcaraz beat Sinner, 6-3 6(7)-7 6(0)-7 7-5 6-3 at US Open Quarters
2023: Alcaraz beat Sinner, 7-6(4) 6-3 at Indian Wells
– Sinner beat Alcaraz, 6(4)-7 6-4 6-2 at Miami Open