Jannik Sinner and a field of one

Good evening. In this week's Inside Sport Newsletter: a prodigy's winning streak may begin to ruffle some feathers, an unlikely managerial candidate proves a natural fit, and the story of how a 22-year-old kid with a love for beef noodles became a sport's next star. But first: 

Throughout the week at the Madrid Open, Jude Bellingham and Thibaut Courtois watching matches at the Caja Mágica, with great interest, became a regular sight. Neither could attend Sunday’s final, though, due to Real Madrid’s match at Espanyol that evening. But they didn’t miss much, either: Jannik Sinner’s demolition of Alexander Zverev, in 57 minutes, became the second-fastest Masters 1000 final without a retirement. Blink, and it was over. 

This was a day where the numbers told the story. Sinner also became the first player to win five consecutive Masters 1000 tournaments, a run stretching back to Paris at the end of last season and taking in the first four events of this season: Indian Wells and Miami on hard court and Monte Carlo and Madrid on clay. It’s an achievement that not even Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer could accomplish in their prime. 

Sinner’s last defeat at a Masters tournament was a third-round retirement in Shanghai. The world No 1 has now won 28 matches in a row at  the Masters level. As he returns to Rome and for his home tournament at the Italian Open this week, Sinner will have the chance to surpass Federer’s longest winning run of 29 wins, and then Djokovic’s record of 31. Afterwards, the 24-year-old insisted he does not “play for records”; imagine if he did? 

Not for the first time, Zverev was left to put Sinner’s dominance into words, and what he said was worrying for everyone else. “Today I would have lost to anybody, to be very fair. I think today I played an awful tennis match,” said the world No 3, before adding: “It's quite simple. I think there's a big gap between Sinner and everybody else. And I think there's a big gap between Alcaraz, myself, maybe Novak, and everybody else. There are two gaps right now.”

It’s a concern because, next month, Sinner will head to Roland Garros as perhaps the biggest favourite ahead of a men’s grand slam title since Djokovic’s last Wimbledon title four years ago. Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion in Paris, will be absent due to his wrist injury. Zverev, who will replace Alcaraz as the second seed, was just destroyed 6-1 6-2 in the final of his best clay-court event, admitting Sinner is in a field of his own. Djokovic did beat Sinner at this year’s Australian Open but he has not played since March, and will soon turn 39. 

Of course, Sinner should be applauded for the run he has put together, for his ability to reset point by point, match by match and week by week, for bringing his best level so regularly. If it was so easy, everyone would do it; consistency, in approach, execution and intensity, is often the hardest test of all.

He started this season’s run by becoming the first player to win Indian Wells-Miami double without dropping a set. He then chased down Alcaraz and reclaimed world No 1 with a victory over his rival in Monte Carlo. And in deciding to go for it now Alcaraz is absent, Sinner has his eyes on an all-time run that could encompass Rome and Roland Garros as well. Djokovic aside, the competition, for now, appears to be inconsequential. 

Jannik Sinner won the Madrid Open on Sunday to claim his fifth consecutive Masters title 

What links this season's tennis tournaments at Indian Wells, the Miami Open and the Madrid Open with this season's F1 races at the Chinese Grand Prix, Japanese Grand Prix and Miami Grand Prix? 

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 Russell – no matter the calm exterior he radiates – cannot afford another repeat of the last three days. Because what is unequivocal now is that Antonelli clearly possesses the clarity and composure to win grands prix. Russell’s unflappability can only go so far in the face of Antonelli’s steam train of early-season momentum. And make no mistake: the Brit will quickly grow tired of grinning ear-to-ear in front of the post-race cameras, surrounded by jubilation not in his name.

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Carrick can often say very little when saying a lot. In this instance, he said a lot while saying few words. He has looked a natural fit. There is something natural in seeing United play with a back four, attack with width and play with verve. Carrick has connected United with what they used to be.

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But the current limbo raises familiar concerns about the state of Test cricket. This is a series against a top-tier nation, in a time zone well suited for UK viewers, largely playing out over the Christmas holidays when most of us are beached on the sofa. It is about as marketable as an England tour gets outside the Ashes, and the lack of takeup by broadcasters only reinforces the sense that in cricket’s cluttered ecosystem, bilateral series like this one are an increasingly endangered species.

THE DISPATCH

Wu Yize: How the boy with bad technique became a star destined to win the World Snooker Championship

The 22-year-old is playing his first world final at the Crucible Theatre (right now!) against 2005 champion Shaun Murphy. Before the tournament, Lawrence Ostlere profiled Wu and told the story of his rise through China’s snooker boom. 

Wu Yize hails from Lanzhou in the northwest of China, a city famous for its beef noodles. The dish is a clear beef broth with radish slices, chilli oil and herbs, and aside from his family, it is the thing he misses most: there are plenty of Chinese restaurants in Sheffield, but they don’t hit like home.

It is one small cost of being one of the best young snooker players in the world. Wu moved his life to Yorkshire three years ago to be part of the growing stable of Chinese players in the city, and he could be the next superstar from the group. The 22-year-old reached finals at the English Open and Scottish Open last season, and now the 10th seed has made it to the final of the World Snooker Championship for the first time.

He is another player off China’s impressive production line, like Zhao Xintong before him, who became the first Chinese world champion last year. Wu began playing snooker as soon as he could hold a queue; his mother ran the family antiques business while his father spent time taking him to tournaments to nurture his talent.

Aged 11, his dad took him to the Yushan International Billiards Academy to be seen by Australian coach Roger Leighton.  When he came to me, his highest break was 49,” Leighton tells The Independent. “After a couple of weeks, he hit an 86. I said, ‘That’s great, amazing.’ He said, ‘It’s no good, because Ronnie would have cleared up.’ That’s his mentality."

 Read more here.

Wu Yize saw off Mark Allen in a dramatic semi-final on Saturday night to reach the World Championship final  (PA)

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They were won by Italians on the same day. Jannik Sinner's victories at the finals of Indian Wells, the Miami Open and the Madrid Open were followed by Kimi Antonelli winning the Chinese Grand Prix, Japanese Grand Prix and Miami Grand Prix. Forza. 

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