Jannik Sinner, when on form, actually seems like an unstoppable force.
His serving is superb, and his ball-striking is arguably the best that the sport has ever seen. It only really feels like the unpredictability of Carlos Alcaraz can trouble him on a consistent basis.
However, after his latest Miami Open title, Chris Eubanks thinks he has a rough plan for a tactic players can use to cause the former world number one more issues.
The fact that Martina Navratilova agrees with him certainly adds weight to his argument.
Chris Eubanks discusses how to trouble Jannik Sinner
Speaking on Tennis Channel after the final, Eubanks began by discussing Jiri Lehecka and his inability to really unsettle Jannik Sinner.
He proposed a solution for future matches, and one which the Czech star sorely needs, given he has not even won a set against the four-time major champion in any of their five meetings.
The American claimed: “The thing I want to see, and we saw him do it against Fils, and it’s a tactic that players would do a lot against great movers: volley back behind and volley short back behind.
“Sinner is far too good to see an open court. You go volley into the open court, and then he’s able to track it down, measure his steps, and kind of time that slide for the pass. Use the short volley back behind. If you’re going to come in, force Sinner to have to stop his momentum, run backwards at an angle, and then you position yourself in front of the ball to maybe have a play on the second volley.”
Navratilova then echoed that sentiment, adding: “A great point about going behind Sinner because he’s so good out of the corners.
“He’s really quick for a tall guy, so that he covers the open court well, but for a tall guy, it’s really hard to stop and look back the other way. 100%. Especially when you have to go a little bit inside the court, you know, cut the angle, so great point.”
Sinner spoke about the rain delays after the match too, which were significant. Lehecka had an opportunity to take advantage of this momentum-killer, but sadly failed.
Jannik Sinner’s reaction to creating Sunshine Double history
Speaking to Sky, Sinner was unsurprisingly glowing as he gladly answered questions on his sensational month.
After all, winning both Indian Wells and Miami is an incredible feat on its own, especially now that they have been extended to two-week events.
Is Jannik Sinner now the best server on the ATP Tour?
He won 18 points in a row on serve vs Jiri Lehecka…
This is a gruelling achievement and one that few will likely manage in many years to come.
He discussed the fact that he did it without dropping a set, admitting: “That is significant first of all because, before going on clay and you know going back home with not only one, but two trophies, it means a lot to me and making here the first time sunshine double it’s incredible.
“It’s something I would have never thought you know because it’s so so difficult to achieve and yeah we made it somehow, so I’m very happy.”
