Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios suspects there may have been ‘something deeper’ behind Jannik Sinner’s uncharacteristic celebration after beating Alexander Zverev in the Cincinnati Masters semi-finals.
Top seed Sinner – usually understated in his reactions – let out a huge roar after edging out the German 7-6 5-7 7-6 to set up a high-stakes meeting with Frances Tiafoe tonight (Monday).
And Kyrgios was quick to pick up on it, responding to a clip of Sinner’s converted match point by writing on X: “Something a lil deeper in that celebration (eyes emoji).”
Sinner hinted after his victory why he found it so satisfying. The 23-year-old has had to grind his way through the various stages in Cincinnati while nursing a hip injury, and he was seen grabbing the area several times during the battle with Zverev.
“It means a lot to me,” the Italian explained. “It’s a very different moment, what I’m going through, so I’m very happy about this result.
“The physical aspect, of course, I have to improve, because if I want to win Grand Slams or a bigger title, I have to be, for sure, more in shape. But I just tried to stay there mentally, which I’m very proud [of], and let’s see what’s coming [Monday].
“Sometimes you have to play a bit with the gut feeling. And I think this today was my strength. It was a good match, I think for both of us. He served very, very well so I can be very proud.”
Sinner may also have taken extra satisfaction from Sunday night’s win due to the fact he had lost his last four meetings with Zverev. The German sent him crashing out of the US Open both last year and in 2021, before Sinner opened his Grand Slam account in Australia back in January.
Tiafoe has earned the right to play Sinner courtesy of an impressive run in which three seeded players – Holger Rune, Hubert Hurkacz and Lorenzo Musetti – have been cast aside. The American is now gearing up for his first ATP Masters 1000 final.
“For sure (Sinner) is (the favourite), right?” said Tiafoe. “He’s lost like [five] matches all year? He’s the favourite in every match he plays, no question about it. You’ve got to tip your hat to a guy like him.”
