It will be a semi-final showdown between former world number 1 when Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic clash at the Six Kings Slam on Thursday. Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz are also aiming for a spot in the title match.
Jannik Sinner vs. Novak Djokovic
Sinner is the defending champion of the Six Kings Slam and he is looking good once again in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The second-ranked Italian made quick work of Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3 in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. It’s not like there were many concerns about Sinner’s retirement in the third round of the Shanghai Masters against Tallon Greek Spoor, but if there were, they are certainly gone now.
Next up for the four-time Grand Slam champion is a semi-final match against Djokovic on Thursday, who is trailing the head-to-head series at 6-4 and has lost five in a row. They have faced each other twice this season, with Sinner riding in straight sets at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, each time in the semi-finals. There’s no reason to think Djokovic will turn the tide in a cash grab if he’s only motivated by Grand Slams at this point in his career. An extra $4.5 million for the champion won’t pique the 38-year-old’s interest.
Choice: sinner in 2
Carlos Alcaraz vs. Taylor Fritz
Like Sinner, Fritz makes no secret of the fact that he is motivated by huge prize money for very little work (maximum three best-of-three matches). The fourth-ranked American played inspired tennis in his opening match, maintaining his recent dominance over Alexander Zverev with a 6-3, 6-4 defeat.
Fritz’s next opponent, Alcaraz, unsurprisingly proved to be a much tougher test. However, the 27-year-old was somewhat competitive in the head-to-head series. He is 4-1 behind but pushed Alcaraz to a fourth-set tiebreak at Wimbledon this summer and then won in straight sets at the Laver Cup before losing 6-4, 6-4 in the Tokyo final. Fritz has the advantage that he has already played a match in Riyadh, so a setback is certainly within the possibility.
Choice: Fritz in 3
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