Jannik Sinner has revealed he has two big weaknesses in his game after his latest masterclass saw off Briatin’s Jack Draper in a compelling US Open semi-final.
Draper was sick on court four times as his US Open dream ended in semi-final heartbreak following a straight-sets defeat to Jannik Sinner.
The British No 1 was enjoying an incredible run in New York and had big hopes of emulating Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu by winning the title.
He had reached the last four without dropping a set but ran into the best player in the world on Friday night and, although he went toe-to-toe for the majority of the contest, he came up short in a 7-5 7-6 (3) 6-2 loss.
Sinner was just too good for Draper and it inspired a suggestion that he doesn’t have any weak spots in his game as he closes in on his secind Grand Slam title of the year.
“What is my weakness,” pondered a smiling Sinner in his press conference.
“Going for sure on the net, you know, sometimes I miss some volleys.
“Shot selection sometimes is still, I feel like I can make it a little bit better. There are also some small things, the small details what makes a big difference in high level.
“For sure, me and my team, we know what we have to improve. Like, today maybe I should have gone maybe a little bit more on the net sometimes, and all this stuff.
“It takes time, it takes — it’s not like magic, no? You have to go through certain moments. I lost matches, you know, by doing the right things and then you have to keep working on that, and then sometimes I won matches even doing the wrong things.
“So you always have to talk with your team and trying to find the right balance. So I’m quite sure that I still can improve.”
Sinner came into the tournament under a cloud following his anti-doping scandal, where he avoided a ban despite two positive tests earlier in the year, but has proved his tough mentality to power through to a first final at Flushing Meadows.
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He faced his biggest test yet against Draper, but won all the big moments and confirmed he deserves to be viewed as the firm favourite to life the US Open trophy on Sunday.
As for Draper, he is scheduled to play for Great Britain in the Davis Cup next week, as he confirmed he was not suffering from a sickness bug after he vomited on court.
“It was extremely humid today. Hasn’t been pretty much the whole week as of yet,” said Draper.
“I think it was obviously a very physical match. Obviously that’s why Jannik is the No 1 player in the world, because when you play the top players, the intensity is different. You know, it’s a step up.
“I think obviously it’s a big occasion for me. I definitely felt, even though I generally feel pretty relaxed and stuff, I definitely felt more excited today, a few more nerves around.
“I’m definitely someone who is, I think, quite an anxious human being. I think when you add all that together sometimes I do feel a bit nauseous on court, and I do feel a little bit sick when it gets tough.
“I didn’t have any problems before the match, but it obviously just built up.”