Six Kings Slam: Sinner beats Djokovic for second time in four days

World No 1 Jannik Sinner has defeated Novak Djokovic for the second time in four days, beating the 24-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 6-7 (0), 6-4 in the semi-finals of the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh on Thursday.

The opening set was a continuation of the pair’s meeting in the final of the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, where Sinner raced to the title 6-3 in the final set. Here, the Italian started fast, racing out to a 3-0 lead and breaking Djokovic twice to claim the opener 6-2. Djokovic wasn’t playing poorly, but as was the case late in the Shanghai match, struggled to match Sinner’s pace from the back of the court.

With the first set all over in 26 minutes, the first semi-final in Riyadh seemed to be heading the same way as yesterday’s two one-sided affairs. That is, until Djokovic found another gear.

Djokovic raises level, executes brilliant breaker

Suddenly, the Serbian began holding his own from the baseline, even outlasting and outhitting Sinner in several prolonged rallies. Breaks were exchanged in the second set, which ultimately headed for a tiebreak. Again, Djokovic was the one who found another level, doing what he has done time and time again over the years and playing a flawless breaker, winning 7-0 to level the match at a set apiece.

But it was the third set where Sinner v Djokovic would truly come alive. Any thought of this being an exhibition match was long gone, as the pair traded breaks and the momentum ebbed and flowed in a high quality decider.

When Djokovic led 3-2 with two break points, after surviving a 12-minute service game earlier in the set, it seemed the 37-year-old was on track to avenge Sunday’s loss. Then just 10 minutes later, it was Sinner who had a foot in a final, up a break at 4-3.

Djokovic would break straight back, however, winning some brilliant exchanges for 4-4. But again, Sinner wrested the momentum from the veteran, breaking for 5-4 with a chance to serve out the match.

This time, there were to be no more momentum swings, with the Italian back to his usual clinical self as he closed out the match to book his spot in the Six Kings Slam grand final.

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