Jannik Sinner had already secured his spot in the ATP Finals’ semifinals before today’s match against Ben Shelton, but the unaware onlooker would never have known.
After all, he was clinical against the American, brushing him aside in straight sets and with minimal fuss.
He put on a show in front of his home crowd, and despite already being well aware that Alex de Minaur would be his semifinal opponent, this latest win will have laid down a marker.
As if he needed any help.
Jannik Sinner currently boasts an unbeaten record against the Aussie, but remains acutely aware of the threats he poses.
Jannik Sinner previews his ATP Finals semifinals vs Alex de Minaur
Speaking live to Sky Sports, the 24-year-old began by assessing his level throughout the event: “It’s tough to say. When you come here and win all round robin matches, you have to play some really high-level tennis, which I have done.
“I felt like I was serving very well in an important moment, which has brought me to this point.
“But it’s truly a special day, playing in front of the home crowd now and also against Ben. It’s always a tough challenge. You have to take the huge chances you have. When he gets out with that huge serve, you cannot do a lot; you have to accept it and try never to give up, which I have done. So the mental aspect was great until now, let’s see what will happen tomorrow.”
Then asked to turn his attention ahead to his upcoming semi-final against Alex de Minaur, Sinner previewed that showdown: “Firstly, I am happy for him because when you have those losses that he had against Lorenzo, it’s tough. But props to him to come back with such an incredible performance, one of the best matches I have seen him play against Taylor.
“I have to be very careful because he doesn’t have a lot to lose. I have a lot to lose. So it’s going to be very difficult, but from my point of view, I am very happy to be in the semis, hopefully I can show some good tennis, and I hope for a couple of good semifinals, and we will see what comes out.”
Tim Henman has told De Minaur what he must do to challenge Sinner, and even then, it feels like it will take something monumental to break his losing streak against the Italian.
Sinner later added, about his group: “It has been an incredibly tough group, firstly because with me included, four big servers. You have to be very careful with a high concentration throughout all the matches.
“But I am feeling great. The home support gives me a lot of energy, and from the back of the court, I feel comfortable at the moment. Things are going to be difficult tomorrow, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Jannik Sinner’s head-to-head record vs Alex de Minaur
Heading into this particular semifinal clash, it only really feels like there will be one winner.
After all, the former world number one has not only never lost to De Minaur, but he has actually won 12 straight matches against him spanning over six years.
His relentless, bruising play style seems to always get the better of the 26-year-old, and speaking about that head-to-head record, Sinner later added: “He was in a tough place a couple of days ago, and then he played one of the best matches of the year, it felt like I was watching, and he played great tennis. So I have to be careful.
Is Jannik Sinner currently the best player in the world?
“He doesn’t have a lot to lose, but I do have a lot. Mostly, I am very happy to be in the semis and very happy to face Alex again. I am looking forward to it.”
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