Good news arrives from London for Italian tennis enthusiasts, following an afternoon at Wimbledon that saw attention split between the iconic Centre Court and Court 1. Firstly, we quickly saw the return of our true Jannik Sinner, who authoritatively reached the Championship semifinals for the second time. Secondly, the burgeoning Italian talent pool boasts another promising young player named Flavio Cobolli. His hard-fought quarterfinal defeat against Novak Djokovic and his overall performance on the world`s most renowned grass courts guarantee a bright future for the Roman, who truly exceeded all optimistic forecasts.
Jannik Sinner: The Robocop Finds His Groove Again
Let`s start with our ginger-haired standard-bearer, who appears confident and, notably, finally smiling again. Sinner seems to have left the pain and uncertainty caused by his right elbow, which flared up during his fourth-round match against Grigor Dimitrov (won only due to his opponent`s retirement), in the locker room. That version of Jannik had caused some concern. While physical discomfort was undoubtedly a handicap, our champion seemed to have lost the certainty and mental fortitude that have been key to his ascent to world number one. Yes, a dangerous crack seemed to have appeared in the “Robocop of tennis” armor, letting in drafts of a formidable enemy: insecurity.
If such a crack existed, it was quickly patched. The Sinner we witnessed yesterday was brilliant and incisive, reminiscent of his best form. It was no easy task playing against a bomber like the American Ben Shelton, whose serve is his lethal weapon. It required patience, resilience, and waiting for the opponent`s serve percentages to drop. Jannik did precisely that, finishing the match with better serving numbers than Shelton. But more significantly, what was most encouraging was his willingness to vary his tactics, even venturing to the net. This is an aspect our number one must continue to integrate.
His game is undoubtedly effective, but it can sometimes be too mechanical, often predictable. Does the opponent hit hard? Sinner sends it back even faster. This can lead to difficulties against players who know how to break up rallies by alternating shots like a dropshot or a slice backhand (as seen with Dimitrov). However, you know it`s the *real* Sinner when his forehands land within centimeters of the line and his backhand down-the-line winners are punishing.
The Djokovic Challenge and Alcaraz `Spell`
This is the version needed especially in the upcoming semifinal against the old lion Novak Djokovic who, rest assured, will make him fight for every point. For Djokovic, this could potentially be his last time competing at Wimbledon, a tournament he has won seven times. Just imagine the adrenaline he will bring onto the court. The Serb, despite being 38 years old, has shown he still operates at the highest level. Between splits on the grass, aces, and winning forehands, he eventually wore down our Cobolli`s resistance. Sinner, besides his age advantage, has a precise understanding of his opponent`s game. He has become something of a nemesis for Nole since their Davis Cup victory in 2023. Since then, Sinner has held the edge, leading their recent head-to-head 5-4.
To defeat him this time, Sinner will need to elevate his game to the absolute maximum. No distractions, fears, or negative thoughts. Especially considering the ultimate goal is reaching the final, perhaps even winning it against Carlos Alcaraz. Against the Spaniard, Sinner needs to break a spell that has lasted five consecutive encounters and became particularly heavy after the incredible Roland Garros final loss, where he squandered three match points. That mental bug needs to be eradicated by Jannik before it becomes chronic.
Flavio Cobolli`s Breakout Performance
Someone who had already broken their own spell a few months ago is Flavio Cobolli. In the first part of the season, this young player seemed to have completely lost his way. He wasn`t winning a match even by a miracle, appearing to be spiraling downwards. Then came the turning point, both mentally and on the court, with his victory at the small Bucharest 250 tournament in early April. From that moment on, a remarkable run began, leading him all the way to the quarterfinals of the world`s most famous Slam, where he made a tremendous impression.
The crowd rightly gave him a prolonged ovation yesterday afternoon as he left the court after his defeat by Djokovic. On Monday, he will climb to world number 19, becoming the third-highest ranked Italian after Sinner and Musetti. It seems like a dream, but it is a wonderful reality that certainly requires confirmation in the short term. However, the `stuff of a little champion` is undeniably there.
