Armed with the break advantage, Sinner didn’t concede a single point during his last two service games of the set. The agile Italian dictated play against his elder foe, moving Djokovic corner-to-corner with the powerful groundstrokes that have carried him to four major titles. A searing backhand down-the-line, Sinner’s 15th winner of the night, sealed the set.
Early in the second set after another loose forehand, Djokovic roared in frustration.
In the fourth game, the 24-time Grand Slam champion twice used his drop shot to perfection and earned two more break points, though both were saved as Sinner struck huge serves down the tee. But with another break point in hand, Djokovic finally secured the advantage, surging to a 3-1 lead when a forehand from Sinner sailed long.
Though Sinner immediately earned three chances to break back, the world No.4 was impenetrable, winning five points in a row from 0-40 to consolidate for a 4-1 lead.
Serving in the seventh game, Djokovic briefly rested his hands on his knees and caught his breath after a taxing string of rallies that left Sinner holding a break point opportunity. But unwilling to surrender, the defiant fourth seed delivered under pressure, slamming down an ace to fend off the break, then another ace and an unreturnable serve to hold for 5-2.
