Tennis: Alcaraz, Sinner to meet in Six Kings Slam final

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will contest the inaugural final of the Six Kings Slam after both won their semis at the tennis exhibition on Thursday in Riyadh.

Sinner squared off against 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, prevailing 6-2, 6-7 (0), 6-4 in a high-quality encounter to start the day.

The clash was the pair’s second meeting in four days, after they played in the final of the Shanghai Masters on Sunday.

Things began on a similar note to how their previous meeting ended, with Sinner out-hitting Djokovic from the baseline.

The Serbian was not playing poorly but found himself behind 3-0 in the space of 10 minutes courtesy of Sinner’s superior ballstriking.

While Djokovic found his feet partway through the set, the damage was done and the Italian moved ahead one set to love.

In the second set, Djokovic was able to force more errors from Sinner, holding his own with the world No.1 and winning the longer exchanges.

A flawless tiebreaker levelled the match at a set apiece, sending it into the first deciding set of the Six Kings Slam.

Both men had their chances in the third set, with Djokovic looking likely to gain revenge for last weekend’s loss when he held break points at 3-2.

It would be Sinner who made the most of his chances, however, gaining a break in the ninth game and serving out the match for a spot in the final.

Alcaraz’s path to the decider was far simpler, despite 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal standing on the other side of the net.

The 21-year-old saw off his elder compatriot 6-3, 6-3 in an entertaining but one-sided affair.

After the match, Alcaraz explained that squaring off against Nadal was still a hard task.

“Trust me I had to play at my best level,” he said.

“Obviously Rafa has been out of competition.

“In tennis you have to have matches on the court to feel good.

“I knew I had to be focused.

“Try to play my best tennis if I want to best Rafa.

“It’s always tough.

“It’s been a good moment and a good time sharing the court with him once again.”

Tennis betting sites are unable to split Alcaraz and Sinner for the Six Kings Slam final, with Bovada putting the match at -120.48 each way.

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