“Jannik Sinner already using the Novak Djokovic trick” – Fans call out Italian over ‘tactical’ MTO during US Open SF against Felix Auger-Aliassime

Jannik Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassime are in the middle of an intense semifinal clash under the bright lights of the Arthur Ashe Stadium. After the World No. 1 took the first set, Auger-Aliassime dominated the second set, losing only one point on serve to take it 6-3.

After looking lackluster against the Canadian’s heavy serve in the second set, Sinner asked for a medical timeout, going off the court to take some treatment. This didn’t sit well with fans, who compared him to Novak Djokovic.

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Some fans said they were getting bored seeing this happen more often from Sinner, calling it a tactic whenever he's on the defensive. A fan commented:

"This is getting old using MTO as a tactic."

Oilers fan

@meisamnorouzi

@TheTennisLetter This is getting old using MTO as a tactic

"Sinner already using the Djokovic trick. Medical timeout," another fan commented.

"Sucessor do Djokovic," another added.

"Of course it’s not. He’s just following the Djokovic MTO playbook," one fan added.

Some fans took shots at Sinner for his doping case from earlier this year. Here are some reactions to those lines:

"This kind of gamesmanship is like doping," one fan posted.

"He thought it would be 6-0 6-0 6-0 - Apply the CLOSTEBOL before Alcatraz match," one fan reacted.

Jannik Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassime split their first two sets, with the former winning the third set 6-3.

Jannik Sinner needs to overcome Felix Auger-Aliassime to set another Grand Slam final date with Carlos Alcaraz

Earlier in the day, Carlos Alcaraz entered his third straight Grand Slam final this year after he defeated 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets. He will meet the winner of the ongoing semifinal contest between Jannik Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassime.

If Sinner does make it through the semifinal, it would mark another final clash with the Spaniard. The two have been dominating Grand Slam events for two years now and the possibility of another Grand Slam final spectacle is on the cards.

Earlier at Roland Garros, Alcaraz defeated Sinner in a five-set classic. Sinner capitalized on several match-winning opportunities before going down in that match. Then at Wimbledon, Sinner avenged his loss by winning the final in four sets.

The two are embroiled in an era-defining rivalry, dubbed "Sincaraz", with Alcaraz leading 9–5 overall. If Jannik Sinner makes it to the final and defeats Alcaraz, he would become the first men's tennis player since Roger Federer to defend the US Open title by winning it back-to-back.

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About the author

Krutik Jain

Krutik Jain is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2022. It was in 2018 when the baseball bug bit Krutik, and already a cricket fan, he credits baseball's rules and Clayton Kershaw's pitching to have hooked him to the game.

A Kershaw and Mookie Betts fan, Krutik rates his favorite team LA Dodgers triumphing over Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 World Series as his best baseball moment so far. His answer to the perennial "one player from the past you could meet" question is Jackie Robinson. Despite never having seen him play, Robinson's impact, legacy and trail-blazing journey have left an indelible impact on Krutik.

A rigorous fact-checker, Krutik likes reporting on the technical aspects of the game as well as off-field elements. When not watching baseball, Krutik is busy playing cricket, staying up to date with the happenings around the world and hiking.

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