Why is Sinner Winning Everything Yet Alcaraz Beats Him?

[jeffreycounts]

Let's get your thoughts on Jim Fawcette's article, "Why is Sinner Winning Everything Yet Alcaraz Beats Him?"

[jimlosaltos]

Correction: A reader noted that the head to head between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz is actually 4-6, not 2-6. Thank you. Here's the full list from the ATP site. If one includes pre-main tour events, then Carlos leads 7-4. The younger Spanaird has also won 3 in a row and 5 of their last 7 matches and both that went to five sets.

My apologies. I don't know how my typo got past TPNs team of skilled researchers, copy editors, grammaticists and area experts. I've been assured that beatings will continue until morale improves.


Here is the list from the ATP:

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[jimlosaltos]

Jannik Sinner is set to become only the 10th player to rank number one for 52 consecutive weeks after Carlos Alcaraz's withdrawal from Madrid.
(Cross posting with Madrid 25)


1. Roger Federer, a staggering 237 consecutive weeks at number one. Fed became No 1 on February 2004 and did not lose the top ranking ranking until August 2008, the longest debut run in ATP rankings history – and the longest run full stop.


2. Jimmy Connors – 160 weeks


3. Ivan Lendl – 157 weeks


4. Novak Djokovic – 122 weeks


5. Pete Sampras – 102 weeks


6. Lleyton Hewitt – 75 weeks


7. John McEnroe – 58 weeks


8. Rafael Nadal – 56 weeks

9. Andre Agassi – 52 weeks

10. Jannik Sinner – 52* weeks and counting. Sinner became world No 1 in June 2024 after the French Open and is guaranteed to remain atop the rankings regardless of results at Rome aka the Italian Open and Roland Garros.

[jimlosaltos]

Sinner's suspension ends tomorrow & fans are reportedly ready to pack Rome where the event is opening up the practice courts.

Coming back before a home crowd could help.

[jeffreycounts]

Sinner's suspension ends tomorrow & fans are reportedly ready to pack Rome where the event is opening up the practice courts.

Coming back before a home crowd could help.

Sinner v Alcaraz coming up! Let's see if the trend continues...

[jimlosaltos]

Sinner v Alcaraz coming up! Let's see if the trend continues...

Well, we got our answer.

Difference IMHO: 1) Alcaraz attacked Sinner's second serve. He's with Demon the best at returning seconds 2) At the net. Sinner avoided the net like the plague, missed an important one early, then Carlos key volleys in the tiebreak and match point there.

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[jeffreycounts]

Based on your article I should have put money on this match!!

[neilchok]

Well, we got our answer.

Difference IMHO: 1) Alcaraz attacked Sinner's second serve. He's with Demon the best at returning seconds 2) At the net. Sinner avoided the net like the plague, missed an important one early, then Carlos key volleys in the tiebreak and match point there.

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I think coming to net on key points is the key. Sinner is not just as good of a mover as Carlos. Carlos being comfortable at the net and his drop shots adds a dimension that other players cannot match. It seems to me he is one of the most comfortable newer generation players at the net.

[jimlosaltos]

I think coming to net on key points is the key. Sinner is not just as good of a mover as Carlos. Carlos being comfortable at the net and his drop shots adds a dimension that other players cannot match. It seems to me he is one of the most comfortable newer generation players at the net.

Two stats I did not catch at the time.

1 of 2 Jannik only won one (1) single first serve point in the entire second set. He only served 23% or 3 in, to start with. We can basically throw out every other piece of analysis because if Jannik, the what 4th highest rated server on tour gets only 3 serves in across an entire, decisive set vs Alcaraz games' over. That is so bad I can't help but wonder if he had some problem.

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2 of 2 Second, this from Beijing (haven't seen equivalent for Rome, but let's for sake of argument assume consistency ), Alcaraz gets a lot more dip on his passing shots, forcing Jannik to hit much harder volleys. Of course, Alcaraz looks like the better volleyer when he's hitting balls at eye level and Jannik is hitting them at knee / hip level. Sources: ATP / TDI



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