Sinner overcomes Struff to reach Wimbledon semifinals, sets up potential Djokovic clash
Defending champion Jannik Sinner defeated Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets to advance to his third Wimbledon semifinal, where he could face Novak Djokovic.
Match recap
World number one Jannik Sinner booked his place in the Wimbledon semifinals with a 7-5, 7-6, 6-3 victory over German veteran Jan-Lennard Struff on Tuesday. The 24-year-old Italian, who is defending the title he won last year, was pushed hard in the first two sets before pulling away in the third. Struff, 36 and ranked 74th, was appearing in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at his 47th major tournament.
He started better than me, I was a bit in difficulty, then I got into the match and started serving better. I stayed there mentally and I'm happy to be back in the semifinal.
Sinner's serving dominance
Sinner's serve proved decisive on Court 1. He fired 16 aces, landed 65% of first serves and won 85% of points behind his first delivery. Struff's own first serve averaged 212 km/h, but the German could not sustain the pressure. The second set tiebreak was the turning point: Sinner raced to a 5-2 lead and converted his first set point.
- Aces
- 16
- First serve %
- 65
- Points won on first serve %
- 85
Heat concerns and Roland Garros memory
With temperatures rising in London, Sinner was asked about the heat-related collapse he suffered at Roland Garros, where he lost from two sets and 5-1 up against Juan Manuel Cerundolo. He laughed off the reminder but acknowledged the work done since Paris.
We worked a lot after Paris to understand what happened, we prepared as best we could and today I felt comfortable. I hope it doesn't happen again, but if it does we'll have to change something.
Other results
Coco Gauff reached her first Wimbledon semifinal by beating compatriot Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. The 22-year-old American, a two-time Grand Slam champion, will face the winner of Naomi Osaka and Karolina Muchova. Alexander Zverev also advanced to his first Wimbledon quarterfinal, defeating Jiri Lehecka after their match was suspended overnight; he next plays Taylor Fritz.
What's next
Sinner will face either seven-time champion Novak Djokovic or fourth seed Félix Auger-Aliassime in Friday's semifinal. Djokovic and Auger-Aliassime were due to play their quarterfinal later on Tuesday. Italian hopes also rest on Jasmine Paolini and Flavio Cobolli, who contest their quarterfinals on Wednesday.
