Jannik Sinner: Paolo Bertolucci reveals the keys to stopping Novak Djokovic

Jannik Sinner: Paolo Bertolucci reveals the keys to stopping Novak Djokovic

With just hours to go before the start of the Wimbledon semifinal between Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, former Italian tennis legend Paolo Bertolucci spoke to the “Gazzetta dello Sport” to point out the keys that could make the difference for the South Tyrolean player.

“Sinner’s serve is more violent in execution than Djokovic’s, but the Serb has a greater number of variations. To this should be added that he hardly resorts to the second ball on decisive points. In order not to suffer in his service games, Jannik will definitely have to raise his prime percentage: hitting around 50 percent, in fact, would definitely be a bad deal against a rebounder like the Serb,” the former tennis player began.

“The big puzzle facing Djokovic’s opponents is his ability to turn every match into a chess match. Every challenge with Nole becomes a cerebral engagement at the highest level. Control of the baseline will be crucial to both of their games, and so Sinner will have to be adept at taking two steps forward and avoiding his opponent’s changes of pace. He will have to try to vary his shots by looking for different angles that take Novak out of his comfort zone,” added the “Sky Sports” commentator.

“Compared to last year Djokovic knows Sinner’s value. If the yardstick was experience there would be no match. Novak is excelling in pressure, while Jannik is testing himself for the first time in such an important engagement. Against Hurcacz and Rublev, Nole got off to a bad start and if it happens again Jannik will have to take advantage of it by trying to change the mental flow of the challenge. However, we know that the Serb is like those F1 drivers who always keep an edge to give the decisive acceleration at the right moment,” concluded Paolo Bertolucci.