Novak Djokovic was game for the fight with his 15 years younger rival Jannik Sinner but was not able to deal with the younger man’s superior firepower from the baseline. Sinner prevailed 64 75 76 to advance to his first Roland Garros final.
Though the scoreline indicates a close match, after the opening games I never believed Djokovic could win the match. He was always playing catch up with the Italian sharpshooter who may have the most potent back court game in history. Let me rephrase that – the Italian sharpshooter and his supplements.
Both use Head racquets but it is Sinner who can generate more velocity and penetration with his shots and that was the difference.
The question that lurks is, how can we really know for sure the two-time positive drug test violator is really competing without assistance from any illegal performance enhancing drugs?
Questions and suspicions aside, Sinner is playing like machine. And, curiously, a machine that has no capacity or ability to inspire any love, adoration or excitement from the Chatrier stadium crowd. The few moments where the stadium erupted in passionate emotion was in trying to fuel Djokovic with some more positive energy after he won an important point with some vintage shotmaking.
But it was not enough. Nothing was enough to help Djokovic overcome this robot man phenomenon devoid of charisma and electricity.
Sinner will play his generational rival Carlos Alcaraz in the Sunday final. Carlos pummeled Lorenzo Musetti into a fourth set submission.
Notes: Spotted in the crowd: NFL owner Robert Kraft, actor Dustin Hoffman, legend Ion Tiriac (both in first different first rows)… John and Patrick McEnroe handled TNT broadcast duties with Mary Joe Fernandez but failed to make any interesting observations or offer any valuable insights to enhance the match, unlike Andre Agassi who is a fireball of stories, original analysis, cool perceptions and witty comments. You almost can’t wait to hear what he says next. Agassi did the Carlos match. The McEnroes just mailed in the performance without saying anything remotely memorable. It was almost elementary basic commentary for the blind.
(Joel Blanc artwork.)
Andre Agassi · Jannik Sinner · Novak Djokovic · Roland Garros · TNT
Scoop Malinowski · June 6, 2025 at 9:26 pm
High quality analysis from TNT Agassi Courier Querrey Davenport. Jim said Novak’s fight and snarl were not there today and it could be a sign the end is near. I think this was because Sinner dominated and was always in control of the match with his baseline superiority. Novak seemed resigned to defeat even in the first set. He just could not do anything to shake loose from Sinner’s death grip. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO6NavVOo1g
Steve · June 7, 2025 at 6:01 am
Interesting they had the roof closed for Alcaraz/Musetti and open for Sinner/Djokovic. Massive conspiracy against Musetti as he’s known as an excellent wind player.
There was no threat of rain the entire day.
Scoop Malinowski · June 7, 2025 at 7:30 am
There’s always going to be monkey business to favor the certain players. But I don’t think there was any way Carlos was not beating Musetti yesterday. Also felt the same hopelessness for Djokovic after the first few games, Sinner just doesn’t falter physically or mentally. The final the system wanted is here. Nike vs Nike. Nextgen vs Next gen. The decade rivalry edition no. 12.