The Italian Jannik Sinner, who is among the favorites for the title, qualified for his first semi-final at Roland-Garros. He easily beat Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (10th) 6-2 6-4 7-6 (7/3).
Winner of the Australian Open in January, he is already assured of becoming at the age of 22 the first player from his world No. 1 country at the end of the tournament, due to Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal. News that he received with a standing ovation from Philippe-Chatrier after his victory. “What can I say? It’s everyone’s dream to become world no.1. But seeing Novak withdraw is very disappointing for everyone. I wish him to heal quickly.“
Sinner will face on Friday, for a place in the final, the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (3rd), winner of the US Open 2022 and Wimbledon 2023. or the Greek Stefanos Tsistipas (9th), finalist in 2021. The Italian showed intractability during the first 2 rounds, won with authority, also taking advantage of the excitement of Dimitrov, his senior by 11 years who made too many errors in his first quarter at Roland-Garros.
A contested 3rd set
One-sided until then, the match ended up being balanced late in the 3rd set, in an unexpected burst, the Bulgarian broke at the last minute after losing his serve at 4-4. Pushed into the decisive game, Sinner then had no trouble finishing the job, after a very solid performance, which attests to his rise in power on the Parisian clay, where he clearly no longer feels his pain at a hip which had forced him to rest during the 3 weeks preceding the tournament.
>> Also read: Injured, Djokovic withdraws; Sinner guaranteed to become world no.1
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