Former British No1 Greg Rusedski has predicted Jannik Sinner to retain his Wimbledon title against Alexander Zverev in Sunday's final, despite acknowledging the German's improved form on grass. Sinner, the defending champion and World No1, faces second seed Zverev at the All England Club after delivering an immense performance to crush seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in Friday's semi-final.
Sinner's path to the final
Sinner did not look at his blistering best in the early stages of this Wimbledon, but raised his level dramatically against Djokovic. The Italian will now look to become just the tenth player in the Open Era to win back-to-back titles at SW19. He has won nine consecutive matches against Zverev, a record Rusedski described as 'incredible.'
Zverev, meanwhile, had not previously got past the fourth round at Wimbledon, but arrived this year with a weight off his shoulders after winning his first Grand Slam at the French Open. The German has dropped just two sets so far this tournament, and reached the final with a ruthless display against British wildcard Arthur Fery.
Rusedski's prediction
Speaking on the Off Court Podcast, Rusedski said: 'I think Sinner, I'm going to pick to win. I said from the start, and especially after Djokovic got tired, I'm super impressed with him. Sinner's won something like nine in a row (against Zverev). I mean, it's an incredible record, but I don't think it's straight sets. I think Sasha comes out in battles. I was impressed. I think he gets at least a set, I hope he gets two and I hope it goes the distance. I want to see a classic. If both men play their best tennis, we go the distance. Zverev's got to come in aggressive, he's got to believe, but Sinner for me to win the title.'
Other pundits weigh in
Former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard shared Rusedski's opinion, backing Sinner after his impressive semi-final display. 'After watching Sinner today, I am definitely going the Sinner route of who will win the match,' Bouchard told the BBC. 'He just had the perfect balance of power and consistency from the baseline. He was even moving well when he was pushed out wide. One thing I do like for Zverev, though, is he has gone a little under the radar this tournament. Everyone has been so focused on Sinner, Djokovic and Fery that he has snuck his way into the final.'
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash believes Zverev will have to rely on his serve and aggression to produce an upset. 'The head-to-head is just Sinner all over, he's just never found a solution,' Cash said. 'But on the grass, you do get more out of the serve. And Zverev's serve is absolutely phenomenal as we know. He's going to get a few more free points. I don't know if he's going to win, but if there's any way he's got a chance of breaking this hoodoo that Sinner's got over him, it's here. Because he's going to smash a few winners. He's going to have to be aggressive. The serve of Zverev, it comes down. That's where he really damaged Fery today. Even Novak's got a great serve, but it's a different ball game for Sinner on the grass. If he can just stay in touch. Zverev's tie-break record is unbelievable; he's the tie-break master. Get to the tie-break of the first set and hope to pull it out to have a real chance. But he doesn't want to be going down two sets to love to Sinner. Even one set to love for that matter.'
