Key events
Preamble
I’m looking forward to this one; who isn’t looking forward to this one; how not to look forward to this one?
It’s a weird thing really, because despite our anticipation, we know what’s likely to happen: Novak Djokovic finds a way to win. But that’s how it is with dominant champions: we tune in to marvel at their magnificence, but also, we tune in hoping to see them take a doing.
And we can make a case for Jannik Sinner to make that happen. He’s playing in front of his home crowd, he’s in form, and he’s one of very few who can hit through Djokovic.
Sounds simple, right? Except, of course, we know in advance that it isn’t. Djokovic has the skills and smarts to keep Sinner moving so he can’t unleash, and makes so many balls that eventually his opponent makes a mistake. But an upset remains plausible, and even if it doesn’t work out that way, there’s every chance of another fun, intense and close match.
Play: 9pm local, 8pm GMT