Paolo Bertolucci: “In Indian Wells Jannik Sinner is the man to beat.”

Paolo Bertolucci: "At Indian Wells Jannik Sinner è the'man to beat"

As every week Paolo Bertolucci, from the columns of Gazzetta dello Sport, analyzes the tennis moment and in particular today he analyzes Indian Wells indicates in Jannik Sinner the man to beat in the BNP Paribas Open, what è considered the fifth Slam, even if it is played over the distance of two sets out of three. Here are the words of one of the iconic men of Italian tennis, winner of the salad bowl in Santiago in 1976 and later non-player captain of the Davis Cup.

“At’the entrance to Indian Wells they might hang a sign that says: ‘È the hunt for Sinner’ has officially begun. After his triumphs in Melbourne and Rotterdam, our strongest player on the circuit è has become the man to beat and è rightly so; even if for the ranking è he is number three. After all, Jannik’s results over the past six months represent him as the best performer in tennis at this moment in history. A recognition that he deserves all for the qualityà of the game expressed and also for the detachment with which he is managing the’euphoria that surrounds him, especially from Italian fans and media, managing to find the right space for himself and for his own character”.

“On the’other side there are the demerits of Alcaraz who appears confused and involuted, with some physical problems to be solved besides the usual Djokovic, who now è called upon to show how much he has absorbed the two defeats suffered against Sinner in the Davis Cup and in the Australian Open semifinals. A lot depends on Jannik: he holds the game, he knows how to beat stronger rivals and he knows how to handle pressure. He proved that in Rotterdam, coming from the triumph of his first Slam. Becauseé now everyone is waiting for him, any player would like to beat him for the pleasure and privilege of putting a notch on their racquet. Indian Wells è a fine test for a player who has stepped onto the podium of the best on the circuit”.

“Lì in California is playing a Slam against all the best in a best-of-three-set format. Here, a pitfall canò become the shortest match becauseé at high level the strongest players prefer to face each other on the five sets, which allow unhoped-for recoveries and a different energy expenditure strategy. On the three sets you have to be ready from the first exchange to play a sprint match, accentuated in pace by the fast surface. Going under right away can become dangerous becauseé the opponent gets excited and gains confidence. Of course, these are all general considerations becauseé even in tennis all matches have a different story”.

“Then in Indian Wells there’è the problem of balls branded by the tournament sponsor. They are less performing because theyé tend to “peel”, becoming slower and heavier. This problem obviously applies to everyone, but especially to the favorites who have to adapt to an abnormal situation, forced to play tennis that is different from their characteristics. Of course, even for Sinner, defeat canò be hidden around the corner, a moment of downturn canò happen to him as well, but I have faith that he is able to extend this happy moment of his thanks to the care of his programming and preparation, in which he leaves nothing to chance, takes the necessary time to recover and travel, arriving at the tournament venue early to adapt to the climate” as well.

“In Indian Wells there will be a wide temperature range between the sun-baked day and the evening with milder temperatures. Sinner will have prepared by training at both times of the day. All to get to the possible/probable semifinal against Alcaraz where he will be able to overtake the Spaniard in the rankings by moving up to No. 2. But before looking at the projection of the scoreboard, which is often belied by even surprise results, Jannik will think about playing one match at a time. Overtaking Alcaraz depends on so many variables. Better not to budget it already in this tournament. The time to rise still does not lack”.