Jannik Sinner wins the point of the year, then ends Carlos Alcaraz's hopes for a Sunshine Double
The 21-year-old Italian defeated the world No. 1—who will lose the top ranking to Novak Djokovic on Monday—and will face Daniil Medvedev for the Miami title.
First, the point everyone is talking about. Is it really the point of the year?
As Vince Carter famously said to the camera during the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk contest, "It's over."
Don't take it us—professional tennis players quote tweeted the following:
🤯 Chris Eubanks
What in the alien Bianca Andreescu
What the f* 🤯🤯🤯 ****Alize Cornet**
Yea, I think tennis is in good hands 😳 John Isner
(If you liked that point, you may want to watch the below highlights of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner's jaw-dropping, late-night display at last year's US Open.)
Despite that display of excellence in, well, everything, Sinner—leading Alcaraz by a break at the time—dropped the set to the world No. 1 in their Miami Open semifinal. It was the 21st consecutive set he'd won.
Unfazed, the 21-year-old Italian later pushed the match to a decider. Alcaraz led the second set by a break before Sinner's (somehow) improved play, and some possible fitness issues, befell the Indian Wells champion.
Some three hours after the match had begun, Sinner closed out Alcaraz, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-2—and in the process:
- Leveled their head-to-head record at 3-3
- Set up a Miami final with Daniil Medvedev on Sunday
- Ensured that Novak Djokovic will return to the No. 1 ranking position on Monday (Alcaraz will drop to No. 2)
More to come on this match from Steve Tignor.