Roland Garros aka The French Open

[jimlosaltos]

Sinner breaks back. Crunched a second serve return from way inside the baseline. Then puts away an uncontested DTL shot.

Earlier Djokovic, gasping for air after a long rally, butchered yet another drop shot, this one wide. Zero drop shot winners in this match, per J Mac { Djoko did win a crucial point to save a break early in the second set, I believe, hitting two drops shots. }

So, Sinner tries a second time to serve out the match.

[stroke]

Sinner won the first set while getting only 43% of his first serves in?
Yet Sinner only lost 3 points on serve ??

And Djokovic is getting pushed back by second serves?

Curious, Ragged match at least to start.

Not ragged to me. To me, a great high quality match. Both players digging in with their best stuff.

[jimlosaltos]

Level of play finally - finally - rises.

Djokovic breaks Sinner who was serving to go up two sets to love. Netted easy forehand.

Ends Sinner's streak of winning 45 straight service games vs Djokovic going back to 2023.

McEnroe: "I've never seen his forehand this big, consistently. And right no the line. He has no other choice."

[jimlosaltos]

Djokovic had a chance to break early in the second set, winning the longest rally yet with multiple drop shots, then missed an open court. Sinner still can't buy a first serve.

Djokovic hit perhaps his 6th moon ball and third lob return, missed a drop shot badly and Sinner escapes.

Now, Djokoivc hit a sliced forehand from the baseline. Curious. Curious.

[jimlosaltos]

Sinner won the first set while getting only 43% of his first serves in?
Yet Sinner only lost 3 points on serve ??

And Djokovic is getting pushed back by second serves?

Curious, Ragged match at least to start.

[jimlosaltos]

Strange mid first set. Sinner-Djokovic has, dare I type this, turned into an old fashioned WTA match as Djokovic finally finds a way to neutralized the Italian -- MOON BALLS !

Yes, Djokovic hit 4 moon balls and one lob service return in one return game.

Sinner is pushing Djokovic back from the baseline, the Serb mid first-set has butchered a volley and put a couple of drop shots in the bottom of the net. Wind has traditionally bothered Djokovic, might be an issue today?

Ruh Roh, Jannik twisted an ankle as the clay gives out under him ...

[jimlosaltos]

Stats from TV analyst Robbie Koenig I did not realize re: tonight's match:

"Sinner has held serve 36 times in a row against Novak, going back to the end of the 2nd set, in that DC match in 2023….

The last time Djokovic had had a break point against Sinner….was the 3 MATCH POINTS he had in Davis Cup back in 2023!"

[stroke]

https://open.substack.com/pub/hughclarke/p/roland-garros-semifinals-preview?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1t7zzc

[jeffreycounts]

Women's final is set. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff will face each Saturday in a rematch of 2023 US Open, World Number One vs World Number Two . Their head to head is 5-5. Aryna won their most recent meeting in Madrid this year, but Coco won the one time they met in a Grand Slam final, the US Open 2023.

Can't wait for this one!

[jimlosaltos]

Women's final is set. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff will face each Saturday in a rematch of 2023 US Open, World Number One vs World Number Two . Their head to head is 5-5. Aryna won their most recent meeting in Madrid this year, but Coco won the one time they met in a Grand Slam final, the US Open 2023.

[stotty]

Novak did well to beat Zverev and get to where he is in the draw. Sinner, it should be noted, has hardly played a seed yet. Nonetheless, Novak was far from his best and is now likely to be exposed by Sinner whose hitting pace is blistering. Tend to agree with Jeff. Sinner is at his peak (or maybe there’s more to come!) and Novak is now definitely a step slower and in his twilight. Spot serving is less effective on clay so Novak can’t rely so easily on that as a source of refuge. I just cannot see Novak winning.

[stroke]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/YkN21JV2SzPkrVbRA

Novak with an implied probability of winning at about 20% vs Sinner.

[jeffreycounts]

Sadly I'd say his chances against Sinner aren't great. It's amazing he's able to beat pretty much anyone else on tour, but being at the end of his career, combined with Sinner being at his peak and absolutely on fire, I think it's the one barrier he can't overcome at this point. I'd love to see him do it though.

[stotty]

Novak a little fortunate to creep through in that fourth. Zverev had finally relaxed and was striking the ball well. Had it gone to 5-5 it might have been tide turning. It wasn’t to be, though, and Novak marches on to yet another semi-final (his umpteenth, who’s even counting at this point?).

[stotty]

Novak coasting at 3-1 up in the fourth set. The only danger now is if he falls asleep.