Jannik Sinner Shares Which One Between Sunshine Double and Channel Slam is ‘Tougher’ to Complete

Jannik Sinner has moved closer to completing the Sunshine Double. He needs just two more wins to become the eighth man to accomplish the feat.

The World No.2 dismantled home favorite Frances Tiafoe in the quarterfinals to reach the semifinals of the Miami Open for the fourth time in his career. Sinner made the final in Miami in his first appearance back in 2021, losing the title to Hubert Hurkacz.

In 2023, Daniil Medvedev denied him the win in the title clash, but Sinner finally tasted victory the following year by downing Grigor Dimitrov. Last year, he skipped the first two Masters 1000s of the season due to his doping ban.

Also, last year, Sinner came close to completing the Channel Slam. Before winning Wimbledon by denying Carlos Alcaraz a three-peat, Sinner narrowly lost the French Open final to the Spaniard. Sinner, following his latest win, was interviewed by Tennis Channel and asked which of Sunshine Double or Channel Slam is ‘tougher’ to complete.

Well, that’s a tough question. I wouldn’t know, although I feel that the Grand Slams will always be different. They are best-of-five-set matches, and emotionally, you get involved and feel them a little more.

Before entering Miami, Sinner won his career’s first Indian Wells title by beating Medvedev. It was also his first title of the season as he lost to eventual runner-up Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinal and to Jakub Mensik in the Qatar Open quarterfinals.

But well, everything is quite tough in our sport, winning at all levels, even the 250s and 500s as well. They are very tough tournaments to conquer, so every victory is fantastic. As I have already said, I try to take it day by day, to understand where my level is, where I can improve, and from there, we will see.

Jannik Sinner added

Sinner has the golden opportunity to get closer to the No.1 spot if he wins the Miami title. Alcaraz, who lost to Medvedev in the Indian Wells semifinal and Sebastian Korda in the Miami Open third round, won the Australian Open and the Qatar Open and sits at the top with 13,590 points on the rankings table.

Jannik Sinner to play Alexander Zverev next

Jannik Sinner did not shy away from admitting that he’s hungry for more success. Up against him next will be three-time Grand Slam finalist Alexander Zverev, who ended Francisco Cerundolo‘s run.

To be hungry [for more success], I think, is quite natural. Mentally, you have to stay calm and be relaxed, also off the court, because I played a lot of tennis in the past three or four weeks with all the practice sessions and everything. I’m trying to keep going. I know this is my last tournament on hard courts before going on clay, so I’m very happy to make the semis again.

Jannik Sinner said during his on-court interview after beating Frances Tiafoe

Sinner holds a 7-4 head-to-head record over Sascha, defeating him in their last six meetings. The four-time Grand Slam champion last met the German in this year’s Indian Wells semifinals. Zverev has never lifted the Indian Wells or the Miami Open title.

Reports have emerged that Sinner will be participating in every Masters 1000 on the clay swing, where last year, he skipped the Monte Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open due to his doping ban. Sinner made his comeback at the Italian Open only to lose in straight sets to Carlos Alcaraz.

So far in his career, the South Tyrol native has lifted just one title on the surface, the 2022 Croatia Open by defeating the seven-time Grand Slam champion.

Also read: Former World No.1 Criticizes Mirra Andreeva for failing to handle Pressure Following Recent Results

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