“I was closer this year than last year” – Jannik Sinner optimistic despite straight-sets semi-final defeat to Djokovic

Jannik Sinner went down in straight sets to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon semi-final, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4) – but he thinks he did better than he managed against the same opponent at the same venue last year.

The two met in the quarter-finals 12 months ago, with Djokovic, then the top seed, coming back from two sets down to win 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

But the Italian, who turns 22 next month, says he thinks he acquitted himself better this time round.

“Regardless of the score, I felt like I was more close this year than last year. That’s what I felt. I felt like also the level was better. I think it’s something positive from my point of view.

“As I said, I had chances in the beginning of the match. Then I had break points in the second set. Third set I had set points.

“I felt like I was closer this year than last year, even if last year was five sets.

“As I said, in the pressure moments, he was playing very good, not missing. Yeah, that’s him.”

Djokovic agreed with Sinner’s assessment in his own post-match interview, saying: “Semi-final was always going to be very close, very tense match. Three very close sets, the scoreline doesn’t give the reality of what was happening on the court – it was super close. The third set could have gone his way…just a lot of pressure in the third, specially.”

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