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Top coach Gilles Cervara believes Jannik Sinner has “definitely started to reach the levels” of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and his charge Daniil Medvedev.
Cervara lauded the improvements Sinner has made in all areas and feels the challenge for the Italian is to “confirm himself at this level and in the Grand Slam tournaments.”
Sinner overcame Medvedev, who Cervara has worked with full-time since 2017, 7-6(7), 4-6, 6-3 in a brilliant final at the Vienna Open on Sunday.
The 22-year-old, who lost his first six encounters with Medvedev, has now his last two – having also downed the Russian in the China Open final at the start of October.
The world No 4 has been excellent since reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon in July. Before his ATP 500 triumphs in Beijing and Vienna, he claimed the biggest title of his career by winning the Canada Masters in Toronto in August.
Only the established trio of Djokovic, Alcaraz and Medvedev sit above Sinner in the ATP Rankings. The Italian will make his debut at the ATP Finals in Turin in November, having secured his qualification earlier this month.
In an interview with Ubitennis following Sinner’s victory against Medvedev in Austria, Cervara discussed the strides the 22-year-old has made.
“I would say that there have been improvements in every aspect of his game. I’m really happy for him and his team. It’s always a nice thing when you see someone who manages to improve so much and works so seriously,” said the Frenchman.
“I see them every week for many months and to see the level they are reaching is remarkable. In general, it is rewarding and significant to see the results when one has worked so hard. Then in general, Jannik is good both in defence and in attack.
“He manages to put so much speed to his shots effortlessly and now he is playing without making the mistakes he did before. Playing against him now is really a great challenge and even his first serve now is faster.
“He’s playing better and better in every aspect and winning finals gives great confidence for the future. And in general, it’s good for tennis that there are so many players capable of reaching such a high level.”
Cervara was also asked if he felt the world No 4 had now reached the same level as Djokovic, Alcaraz and Medvedev.
“Yes, definitely, he’s just started to reach these levels and to win consistently, in big events against top players. The challenge for him will be to confirm himself at this level and in the Grand Slam tournaments, I just hope it doesn’t happen against us (smiling),” assessed the 42-year-old.
Sinner is in action at this week’s Paris Masters, where he will face JJ Wolf or Mackenzie McDonald in his opening match.
READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz admits he practises to beat Novak Djokovic as big goal remains on his mind
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