TENNIS: Sinner snuffs out Struff's Wimbledon dream to reach semi-finals

LONDON — Defending champion Jannik Sinner advanced to the Wimbledon semifinals after defeating Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff, 7-5, 7-6(4), 6-3, on Tuesday, ending the veteran's remarkable run at the All England Club.

Struff, 36, was playing in the first Grand Slam quarterfinal of his career in his 47th major appearance, making him the oldest man in the professional era to reach that stage for the first time. However, the world No. 74 was unable to overcome the tournament's top seed despite another powerful serving display.

The German entered the match with 100 aces in the tournament and added 12 more against Sinner, but the Italian remained composed and consistently neutralized Struff's biggest weapon.

Sinner secured the opening set with a crucial break for a 6-5 lead before surviving a tense second set. Struff held a set point in the 10th game, but Sinner responded with an unreturnable serve before taking control in the tiebreak. He completed the straight-sets victory after Struff sent a return long, booking his 10th Grand Slam semifinal appearance.

"He is a very, very tough player to play against, but he deserves everything he's done and achieved in his career," Sinner said after improving his career record against Struff to 4-0.

"In the beginning, he started better than me. I was struggling a little bit, but I tried to stay there mentally.

"The second set could have ended in a different way. Tiebreaks are always 50-50. He's a very tough player to play against. I'm happy to be back in the semifinals here."

Sinner will next face seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic in Friday's semifinals.

The Italian has dominated the ATP Masters 1000 events this season, winning all five tournaments he has entered. However, he has yet to replicate that success at the Grand Slam level this year after falling short of the final at both the Australian Open and the French Open.

Warm conditions at Wimbledon, with temperatures reaching 31 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit), raised questions about whether the heat could affect Sinner, who struggled in similar conditions at Roland Garros earlier this year. Instead, he quickly settled into the match and dictated play once he adjusted to Struff's powerful serves.

Sinner wrapped up the victory in two hours and 34 minutes, ending Struff's memorable Wimbledon campaign.

The German received a standing ovation from the crowd as he left Court One after achieving the best Grand Slam result of his career.

"At 36, it's a sign you should never give up," Struff said. "All the fight and everything, it's worth it. This is a highlight of my career for sure." -Reporting by Pritha Sarkar; Editing by Alison Williams and Clare Fallon/Reuters