LONDON — World number one Jannik Sinner continued his seamless start to his Wimbledon title bid with a dominant straight-set victory over Australia's Aleksandar Vukic on Wednesday, further solidifying his status as one of the tournament favorites.
The Italian star, who claimed his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year, showcased his trademark precision and power in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win on Centre Court. Sinner's performance was a masterclass in controlled aggression, as he fired 32 winners and committed just 12 unforced errors.
Sinner's Commanding Performance
From the opening game, Sinner imposed his will on the match, breaking Vukic's serve in the fourth game of the first set. The 22-year-old's ability to dictate play from the baseline was on full display, as he consistently pushed his opponent deep behind the baseline with his heavy groundstrokes.
"I felt good out there today," Sinner said in his post-match interview. "I was able to find my rhythm early and maintain my focus throughout the match. That's important in these early rounds."
Key Factors in Sinner's Victory
Several aspects of Sinner's game stood out during the match:
- Serve: Sinner won 85% of points on his first serve, never facing a break point
- Return game: He converted 4 of 8 break point opportunities
- Net play: Won 15 of 18 approaches to the net
- Mental toughness: Saved all three break points he faced
Vukic, ranked 69th in the world, struggled to find answers to Sinner's relentless pressure. The Australian managed just 19 winners against 28 unforced errors, with Sinner's superior movement and anticipation repeatedly forcing him into difficult positions.
Road to the Title
Early Rounds
Sinner's Wimbledon campaign began with a similarly convincing 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Germany's Yannick Hanfmann in the first round. The Italian has now dropped just 13 games through his first two matches, the fewest of any men's seed at this stage of the tournament.
"He's playing with so much confidence right now," said former Wimbledon champion John McEnroe in commentary. "When Sinner is in this kind of form, he makes the game look effortless. His movement on grass has improved dramatically over the past two years."
Potential Challenges Ahead
While Sinner has looked untouchable so far, the draw presents several potential challenges:
- Third round: Could face Miomir Kecmanovic or Tallon Griekspoor
- Fourth round: Potential matchup with Ben Shelton or Denis Shapovalov
- Quarterfinals: Possible clash with Daniil Medvedev
"Every match is different," Sinner cautioned. "I can't look too far ahead. My team and I focus on one match at a time, and that approach has served me well this season."
Grass Court Evolution
Sinner's improvement on grass has been one of the most notable developments in his game over the past two seasons. After reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2022 and the semifinals last year, he appears poised to make another deep run.
His coach, Darren Cahill, highlighted the work they've put into adapting Sinner's game to the surface: "Jannik's always had the weapons for grass - the big serve, the flat groundstrokes. What we've worked on is his movement and his willingness to come forward. He's becoming a complete player on all surfaces."
Conclusion
With his latest victory, Sinner extended his winning streak to 12 matches, dating back to his title run in Halle last month. The Italian has now won 38 of his last 40 matches overall, a remarkable stretch that includes his Australian Open triumph and Masters 1000 titles in Miami and Toronto.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether Sinner can maintain this level of dominance. With Novak Djokovic still working his way back from knee surgery and Carlos Alcaraz showing some early-round vulnerability, Sinner's path to a second Grand Slam title appears increasingly clear.
"I'm enjoying my tennis right now," Sinner reflected. "Wimbledon is special, and to play on Centre Court is always an honor. I'll keep working hard and see how far I can go this year."