Jannik Sinner set the benchmark in 2024. The Italian has been dominant in the entirety of 2024, winning two Grand Slams, three Masters 1000 titles, the ATP Finals and posting 73-6 record. But he was tested at times and more than once ahd to showcase what is quickly becoming trademark brilliance. But which were his five best matches?
Jannik Sinner’s Five Best Matches on 2024
5. Australian Open Final vs Daniil Medvedev
Sinner kicked off his season in fine style at the Australian Open – but he had to be at his very best in the final. He beat Russia’s Daniil Medvedev 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in the 2024 Australian Open men’s singles final. Sinner produced a stunning comeback to win his first Grand Slam title in a bruising encounter that lasted three hours and 44 minutes. He hit 14 aces to Medvedev’s 11 and won 59% of his second-serve points, compared to Medvedev’s 49%.
The match was closely contested, with Sinner winning 142 points to Medvedev’s 141 and securing 24 games to Medvedev’s 23. His total service points won amounted to 95, compared to Medvedev’s 92. It was Medvedev’s fourth five-set match of the tournament, so perhaps the fatigue factor may have kicked into gear. However, no one can deny Sinner’s level was hugely impressive – not just in the final but throughout the tournament.
4. US Open Final vs Taylor Fritz
Sinner came into the US Open under something of a cloud. The Italian had tested positive twice for a banned substance, and was perhaps unsurprisingly under real pressure as a result from sections of both the media and the locker room. However, he put all that aside and played some fantastic tennis at the US Open, defeating home hope Taylor Fritz to claim his first US Open title with a three-set victory, 6-3 6-4 7-5. It was his second Grand Slam and sixth ATP title of the season.
Sinner converted 50% of his breakpoint chances, surpassing Fritz, who converted 29%. The Italian broke Fritz’s serve six times (from 12 break points), whilst Fritz converted was only able to convert two of seven break points. Sinner led in total points won (96 to 79) and games won (19 to 12). Sinner won 58 service points, narrowly edging out Fritz’s 52, and 38 receiving points. In truth, the match was closer than the scoreline suggested, but it was still a dominant win in a Grand Slam final.
3. ATP Finals Semifinal vs Casper Ruud
Sinner delivered a masterclass in the ATP Finals semifinal, dismantling Casper Ruud in a dominant 6-1 6-2 victory. Playing in front of a vocal crowd at the Inalpi Arena, Sinner was on fire from the start. He broke Ruud’s serve early in the second game and never looked back, staying in complete control throughout the match.
He fired nine aces compared to Ruud’s one and won an impressive 81% of points on his first serve. Even on his second serve, Sinner was rock solid, winning 63% of the points, while Ruud could only manage 24%. The gap in their performance was clear, with Sinner also excelling in return games and break point conversions. The two-time Roland Garros finalist couldn’t convert either of his two break point chances, while Sinner broke Ruud’s serve four times out of seven opportunities. Sinner’s aggressive returns and clinical finishing left Ruud chasing shadows for most of the match.
2. Shanghai Open Final vs Novak Djokovic
Sinner claimed his fourth victory over Novak Djokovic to win the men’s singles title at the 2024 Shanghai Masters. The Italian denied Djokovic his 100th career ATP title with a 7-6 6-3 win. Sinner claimed a crucial break in the fourth game of the second set and wrapped up the match in one hour and 37 minutes. This was Sinner’s third Masters 1000 title of the season, and it cemented his position as the year-end #1.
The key for Sinner was that he defended his serve (particularly his second delivery) excellently in a tight encounter and whilst he hardly dominated on return, he did take one of his two break point opportunities. Djokovic, surely the greatest returner of all time, was not able to break the Sinner serve throughout match.
1. Australian Open Semifinal vs Novak Djokovic
In one of the most remarkable matches of his fledgling career, Sinner defeated Djokovic in the 2024 Australian Open semifinal 6-1 6-2 6-7 6-3. This victory marked Djokovic’s first Australian Open loss in 2,195 days, and it was the first time he had ever been beaten at the semifinal stage in Melbourne after winning his previous ten. Sinner won 83% of his first serve points and 64% on his second serve, while Djokovic managed only a lowly 67% and 52%, respectively.
Remarkably, whilst Sinner broke Djokovic’s serve five times and generated a further six break points, Djokovic didn’t earn a single break point in the four sets. This was the Italian’s second win in three meetings against the Serb and marked a significant turning point in their rivalry as well as a breakthrough for the Italian, who had never previously contested a Grand Slam final.
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
