Sinner stops Safiullin to reach Wimbledon semi-finals

| July 12, 2023

Jannik Sinner has broken new ground at Wimbledon as the Italian powered into the semi-finals of a grand slam for the first time with a 6-4 3-6 6-2 6-2 win over big-hitting Russian Roman Safiullin.

“It means a lot to me. We put a lot of work in, many hours also off the court, a lot of sacrifices for this moment so it means a lot for me and it means a lot to share it with you guys,” Sinner said.

“It’s a nice moment for me. I just try to play my tennis. Every match has a little bit of its own story and obviously I’m very happy to be in the semi-finals.”

Sinner, 21, has made the most of a favourable draw at the grasscourt major this year reaching the final four without meeting a top-50 opponent. 

After a high-octane start by both players under the roof on a sometimes slippery No.1 Court, Sinner broke for a 5-4 lead with a barrage of big shots from the baseline and comfortably held serve in the next game to go a set up on Safiullin.

World No. 92 Safiullin did not let his optimism dip after surrendering his serve early in the second set and the Wimbledon debutant reeled off five games in a row from 1-3 down to draw level in the match.

“I was a break up in the second set and I got down mentally a bit, so this is a part we’re working on a lot,” Sinner said. “Obviously happy how I reacted in the next couple of sets.”

Sinner won the next set in 34 minutes and the contest was effectively over after he broke for a 4-2 lead in the fourth set.