Jannik Sinner brushed off an injury scare to soar into the Wimbledon semifinals after beating Ben Shelton.
Sinner blew Shelton away in their quarterfinal encounter, which the ATP Tour number one won 7-6(7-2), 6-4, 6-4.
Former world number one Jim Courier was concerned about Sinner’s fitness for his match with Shelton, with the Italian having fallen in his fourth round tie with Grigor Dimitrov.
Sinner required an MRI on his elbow following the match at Wimbledon, during which Dimitrov ironically retired due to injury.
The Italian progressed to set up a meeting with Shelton, where his right arm was covered with a protective sleeve.
Lindsay Davenport notices ‘great sign’ for Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon
Sinner needed two hours and 19 minutes to knock out the American, after which former world number one Lindsay Davenport discussed his current injury.
She said on Tennis Channel: “Yeah it seems like his arm has been a little bit of an issue for a while now for Sinner.
“He was actually taped up during the whole practice week as well, trying to hide it with that sleeve. Obviously then when you fall on something, it kind of like shocks you, and you start thinking ‘Oh, man, what did I do?’
“He has been able to play at such a high level, kind of managing whatever is going on in that elbow, doesn’t give a lot away.
“Certainly a scare to go out there today, but to be able to play a match and not even flinch. Some of those serves coming hard at him, being able to step in on this surface and be able to still drive his forehand is a great sign moving forward.
“He’s managing his arm on his days off, that’s what the advantage of a Grand Slam is. Yes, you have to play three out of five, brutal, but at least you get those days off to rest. He won’t get two days but he will get one day and he looks sharp.”
Jim Courier tells Jannik Sinner what he needs to do at Wimbledon after injury scare
Sinner has very little rest indeed before his Wimbledon semi-final, where he will be reunited with Novak Djokovic.
The three-time Grand Slam champion defeated Shelton on No.1 Court on Wednesday, and now meets Djokovic on Centre Court on Friday.
Sharing his verdict on that scenario, Courier noted: “It will be curious to see how much he chooses to practice tomorrow.
“Does he do the same thing that he did a couple days ago? Go inside and just have balls fed to him by his coaching staff and try and keep the stress light on the elbow, I would not be surprised.
“His tennis is razor sharp, it’s not like he needs to go out and practice that. He just needs to focus on being healthy and getting ready for taking on that guy, that seven-time champion who might be lurking.”
Sinner is now into his second semifinal at the All England Club, having lost his first to Djokovic back in 2023.
The Serbian meanwhile, who lost to Sinner at this stage of the French Open last month, is chasing a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title.
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