Wimbledon 2023: Alcaraz's show of force, Sinner's lack of realism... The tops and flops of Thursday July 14

At Wimbledon,

TOPS

More and more crazy. With Novak Djokovic the records are falling like flies. Quadruple title holder, the Serb tamed in three sets, the 8th world Jannik Sinner. The host also chained a 34th consecutive victory in the Temple of Tennis and pocketed a 15th consecutive tie-break in Grand Slams. Dizzy. The insatiable will aim for an eighth Wimbledon crown on Sunday to join Roger Federer. Above all, he could bring his record number of Grand Slam titles to 24 and join Australian Margaret Court (24). He now has another in his pocket: that of the number of Grand Slam finals played (35) men and women combined ahead of Chris Evert (34). Crazy !

The Spanish phenomenon is definitely more and more comfortable on grass. Stunning against Daniil Medvedev, the Spaniard showed his firepower and confirmed that he likes to go forward with no less than 28 points in net. Perfectly at ease in his movements, the Murcian alternated slice, amortized, shotgun blasts … Enough to make the world number 3 lose his head, overtaken by events. As was the case in the Indian Wells Masters 1000 final in March, the 20-year-old phenomenon walked on his opponent, who was more experienced in Grand Slams. What to approach the shock against Novak Djokovic in the final in the best conditions.

Against Sinner, the Serb was first penalized for “time violation” before serving in the second set, then a point against him because of an “embarrassment” caused by a prolonged shout on a long backhand. line. At the end of the 3rd set, when Jannik Sinner finally upset the boss of the Center Court a little, by getting two set points at 5-4 for him, some spectators shouted "Vamos Rafa (Nadal)" when Djokovic s was about to serve. Decidedly imperturbable the Djoker did not come out of his hinges as he could have done in the past. He even showed quite a bit of humor. Evidence of his current confidence and serenity.

FLOPS

Despite his loss in three sets against Novak Djokovic, Sinner believes he played a better match than last year when he pushed the Serb in five sets... "The score aside, I felt I was more close this year than last year”, estimated the Italian, not very lucid in front of the press. Just like in the hot moments on the court. When it was necessary to tighten the game, Sinner's arm trembled… If Djokovic was clinical as always, Jannik Sinner was very feverish on the key points. This Friday the Serb was playing his 46th Grand Slam semi-final (a record equaled by Federer) and his 12th at Wimbledon when Sinner was celebrating his first … It was seen. Djokovic was more realistic on his break opportunities (2 out of 9 converted against 0 out of 6 for the Italian). “I missed out a bit on the important points”, nevertheless conceded the 21-year-old Italian. Sweet understatement.

While he was down 3-0 in the last set, after giving up the first two sets and conceding 16 consecutive points, Daniil Medvedev turned to his clan. Powerless, he suffered the ardor of Alcaraz for almost three sets. The latter was the victim of a small culpable release in the back straight. But the uninspired Russian on serve was not able to take advantage of it as the two men chained four breaks in four games, until Alcaraz ended the match. Two years ago Medvedev had quietly dominated the prodigy in the second round at Church Road. Change of scenery two years later. The gap between the Russian world number 3 and the Spaniard, number 1 sometimes seemed abysmal as the Spaniard mastered his subject.