Jannik Sinner has thundered his way into the Miami Open semi-final, continuing his blistering 2024.
The Italian has lost just one match all year, and for his efforts has won at the Australian Open and the Rotterdam Open too.
Now, he seeks to add this prestigious tournament to his cabinet, but will have to surpass Daniil Medvedev first before likely facing Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
However, it is this calibre of player that helps force him to be better, as he sought to detail the two current stars pushing him on.
Jannik Sinner outlines who has made him a better player
Speaking following his win over Tomas Machac, in which the Italian was in inspired form, he covered plenty in his post-match interview.
Chatting for the Tennis Channel, the interviewer actually referenced Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, revealing how when the latter burst onto the scene the Swiss superstar had to forge a specific game plan to deal with this new talent.
It was then suggested that Sinner might have to do similarly with Alcaraz, but in his reply, he actually named another.
The 22-year-old claimed: ‘I think that’s good to see and this also makes me a better player. Not only Carlos but also Daniil, he’s the kind of player who made me a better player because I never beat him before.
‘I try to work on a couple of serve and volleys, drop shots, opening the court with the short corners and angles… for sure there are players who makes you better. But you also have to reach certain rounds to play against those, which most likely are from quarters to semis to finals.’
A repeat of the Australian Open final awaits
Having won his last four matches against the Russian tennis player, it’s no surprise that Sinner is looking forward to their upcoming rematch at the Miami Open.
Blazing past Machac, whilst Medvedev swept aside Nicolas Jarry, we are set to face a repeat of the mouth-watering Australian Open final which saw the youngster claim his first-ever Grand Slam title.
As the 28-year-old seemed to be cruising to victory in Melbourne, racing into a two-set lead, the extra time he had been forced to spend on the court throughout the tournament reared its ugly head in dramatic fashion, as he fell apart.
Sinner was relentless, and deservedly won in the end.
However, had Medvedev not endured so many five-set marathons beforehand, it is likely he would have instead tasted victory, and just his second-ever Grand Slam success.
So, tomorrow’s match should be an enthralling one, with so many narratives swirling around.
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