Jannik Sinner has been one of the most dominant tennis forces on the planet across the last few years, with his current French Open performances only solidifying that notion.
He has soared into the semi-final with minimal fuss, demolishing some really competent players on his way to the same stage he reached the year prior.
However, now Novak Djokovic awaits, seeking to upset the world number one just as he did Alexander Zverev in the round earlier.
Many will favour youth in this instance, especially given Sinner has won their last three meetings. Paul Annacone in particular has analysed the match with interest.
He identified what the entire match could hinge on, which coincidentally is an area that the 23-year-old has improved in exponentially.
Jannik Sinner has improved in one ‘weak’ area
Chatting to Tennis TV ahead of today’s night-match showdown at the French Open, Annacone was keen to express where he felt Jannik Sinner had improved the most.
In fact, he even went as far as to brand that area of his game as a weakness before these changes were made.
He noted: ‘The margins are so narrow with these guys.
‘The one thing that I think Novak has going for him is that Jannik Sinner, two years ago, was not a very good second server, and he’s become a really good second server.
‘So I categorise servers in two categories. They’re either natural servers and they’re really good at it, or they become manufactured good servers if they improve. He’s a manufactured good server, okay?
‘He’s a manufactured good server that had a weak second serve.
‘So when you play the greatest returner that’s ever played the game in the men’s game, this is the one time where Novak really has to be committed to sending messages early in the match returning second serves. He’s got to invest really aggressively in the first set to put a lot of pressure on the Sinner second serve. That’s how you see if manufactured second serves can hold up against the best.
‘So be very interested. If Novak can do that, opportunities will break for him, if he can’t, I think he’s playing the newer version of himself, and it’s gonna be a long day at the office.’
Jannik Sinner seems unstoppable at the French Open
It does really feel like nobody can stop Sinner at the moment, given how imperious he has looked since his return to tennis.
Starting off 2025 with a Grand Slam title is the stuff most dream about, but it is two years on the run the Italian has accomplished this feat now.
However, then seeing his three-month ban kick in, many thought his eventual return to tennis might come with a few complications.
A run to the Italian Open final swiftly dispelled those fears, where he was only defeated by Carlos Alcaraz. John McEnroe actually thinks the ban helped Sinner, ironically.
And now into another semi-final, but this time at the French Open having failed to drop a single set, it’s a wonder if anyone can beat him.
Djokovic will try his best, but should he fail, Sinner will likely have Alcaraz to contend with once again. A showdown for the ages, and potentially their first in a Grand Slam final.
