Adriano Panatta believes Novak Djokovic cannot beat again Jannik Sinner following the Italian’s standout performances this season.
Jannik Sinner and Adriano Panatta (via AP/Sportal.iu)
ATP legend Adriano Panatta has revealed that Novak Djokovic cannot beat Jannik Sinner in the future. The last time Djokovic played Sinner was in the semifinals at the Australian Open this year, where the latter won in four sets en route to clinching the title.
Sinner has put in some standout performances this season. He is the only player to have won five titles this year, including a Grand Slam. Before arriving in New York for the US Open, the Italian beat Frances Tiafoe in a straight set to win the Cincinnati Open, his second Masters 1000 title of the year. He is also the only men’s player in ATP to win two Masters 1000 titles this year.
Despite the recent doping saga, Sinner has been focused on his performances at the US Open. He opened his campaign with a four-set win over America Mackenzie McDonald. He continued his brilliant form by beating Alex Michelsen and Christopher O’Connell in straight sets. His first big test was against Tommy Paul and he passed with flying colors, winning 7-6(3), 7-6(5), 6-1.
On the other hand, Djokovic’s best run this season has been his Olympic gold triumph in Paris. The only final he reached on the ATP Tour was at Wimbledon, where he was comprehensively beaten by Carlos Alcaraz. The Serbian most recently crashed out of the US Open in the third round.
Panatta, the first Italian man in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title, belives that the only person capable of beating Sinner currently is Alcaraz. He opined that even Djokovic does not stand a chance against his compatriot.
Sinner ended Daniil Medvedev‘s quest for the US Open title in the quarterfinals, beating the Russian 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 to reach the semifinals. He will face British Jack Draper for a place in his second career Grand Slam final.
Jannik Sinner has admitted that he is looking forward to a tough match against Jack Draper in the semifinals of the US Open. The Italian is yet to drop a set in New York and is playing his best tennis of the season.
Sinner, who knew Draper during his junior days, teamed up with him to play the Canadian Open doubles. They reached the quarterfinals before withdrawing from the doubles competition. Ahead of their meeting at the US Open, Sinner is expecting a tough test from Draper.
Sinner and Draper have met only once on the ATP Tour, back in 2021 at the Queen’s Club Championships in London. The British star won that contest in straight sets.