Jannik Sinner and Tommy Paul engaged in one of the most unpredictable and odd matches in recent memory last night, with the former coming out on top to reach the Italian Open final.
Whilst it was the American who raced into a lightning-quick lead, in the end, the 23-year-old simply had too much for Tommy Paul to handle.
However, it was not just the quality of Jannik Sinner that told on the night.
In fact, the Italian himself has even admitted that it was a mistake made by Paul that let him back into the match.
Jannik Sinner explains how he beat Tommy Paul in Italian Open semi-final
Analysing the match, Sinner did not hold back in his assessment of Paul’s display. In fact, he highlighted one crucial error made by his opponent: ’He started very well in the first set. I made a few mistakes and I didn’t play tactically right.
‘In the second set when he served, he missed two or three balls and then from there I entered the match and the match changed.
‘I’ve always said that day after day, it’s different and this was also a nice confirmation because I felt totally different on the court than yesterday [against Ruud], but these are things that you have to accept and try and find a solution.
‘Today I found a solution so I am happy but I also know that Sunday will be a totally different match. If I want to play just on equal terms, I have to raise the level.’
Sinner then spoke about what he changed mid-match to capitalise: ‘When I warmed up under the tunnel the air came in a bit and I felt it was a little colder, but not that much, so I entered the court and I wanted to make the ball jump a little more but I did not succeed.
‘I didn’t find the length I wanted and so he came in a lot with his backhand. Then after I changed it a little bit, move it more towards the forehand.’
Carlos Alcaraz will need to up his game to beat Jannik Sinner
If anything is to be taken from these comments, it’s that Sinner will gladly pounce on even the tiniest mistake to make his opponents pay.
Paul played a near-perfect first set to soar into a 6-1 lead, putting himself within touching distance of the Italian Open final.
However, just a subtle swing allowed the world number one to hit right back, bagel him in return, and steal his place in that title match.
Carlos Alcaraz should heed this warning, especially after such an error-strewn run to the final.
Naturally, much of the blame for his tardiness can be attributed to external factors, with many players complaining about the conditions at the Italian Open.
But against Lorenzo Musetti, his 42 unforced errors were not good enough.
He almost always does, but now more than ever Alcaraz will need to find his A-game to compete with the rampaging Sinner.
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