Is it strange, then, that Sinner’s hot streak has hardly registered in the media or received much attention from fans or commentators? Is that because we’re in the fall, a time when all but the most hardcore followers of the sport have checked out? Is it because he hasn’t played Alcaraz since the Open? Is it because everyone expects the icy Italian to clinically dismantle all of his opponents anyway, especially on hard courts? It’s probably all of those things combined. Still, it feels notable how ho-hum Sinner and Alcaraz have made this level of excellence.
It may be hard to remember, but after his loss in the Open final, Sinner talked about how he was going to go back to the drawing board for the rest of this season, and try to make his game more varied. He could trade missiles with Alcaraz, but he couldn’t mix in the same touch shots. Normally, this type of revamp takes a fair amount of time and effort, and a few defeats along the way, to implement.
Watching Sinner’s win over Auger-Aliassime, it felt like he had already succeeded in adding just what he needed. Sinner tried 20 drop shots over two sets, and won 15 of those points. His crosscourt forehand drop, hit from above shoulder height, was particularly deadly. Not only did FAA have to guard against both the crosscourt and down-the-line drives, he had to make sure he could cover the forecourt as well. Sinner was clinical without being predictable, and never faced a break point.
