In a dramatic showdown at the Madrid Open, Pavel Kotov faced off against Jannik Sinner in a match that had spectators on the edge of their seats. However, it was a seemingly innocuous moment that ultimately cost Kotov a crucial point.
The underarm serve—a rarely seen tactic in professional tennis—was Kotov’s weapon of choice. As he stepped up to the baseline, the crowd held its breath. Would this unorthodox move catch Sinner off guard?
Unfortunately for Kotov, it did not. Sinner was ready, tracking down the underarm serve with ease. The Italian player navigated all of the further complications presented to him, including Kotov’s unconventional serve in the match’s final game. Sinner saved a set point and rallied from 5-3 down in the second set, securing a 6-2, 7-5 victory over the unseeded Russian player.
A bold play at a crucial time 😶#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/iFnTSPLvTJ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 29, 2024
While the underarm serve can be a clever surprise tactic, it requires impeccable timing and execution. In this case, Kotov’s attempt fell flat, and Sinner capitalized on the opportunity. Tennis fans will remember this match as a testament to the importance of strategy and adaptability on the court.
As the Madrid Open continues, players like Sinner remind us that every point matters, and even the most unexpected moves can shape the outcome of a match. Kotov’s senseless underarm serve serves as a cautionary tale for players seeking to innovate during high-stakes moments. Sometimes, sticking to the basics is the wiser choice.
In the end, Jannik Sinner’s resilience and ability to seize critical moments propelled him to victory, leaving Kotov to rue his unconventional decision. Tennis enthusiasts will undoubtedly analyze this match for years to come, dissecting every shot, serve, and strategy. And perhaps, somewhere in a tennis academy, a young player will learn from Kotov’s mistake and choose their shots more wisely in the heat of competition.
So, next time you step onto the court, remember: sometimes the simplest plays are the most effective. Kotov’s underarm serve may have been cheeky, but it was Sinner who had the last laugh.
Pavel Kotov in 2024
Currently ranked no.72, the Russian played his last match on the 29th of April when he capitulated to world no.2 Jannik Sinner 6-2 7-5 in the 3rd round in Madrid (draw).
At present, during this year Pavel has achieved a compiled 9-9 match record. Pavel Kotov’s best result of the year was getting to the semifinal in Marrakech.
Kotov has scheduled to compete next in Bordeaux Challenger (Bordeaux Challenger). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 1st of January.
Sinner in Madrid, ranking, and results in 2024
WWWWWWWWWW Ranked no.2 (career-high), Jannik has managed to achieve a 27-2 record in 2024. The Italian is participating in Madrid where he overcame the world no.52 Lorenzo Sonego 6-0 6-3 and the world no.72 Pavel Kotov 6-2 7-5.
Jannik Sinner will play the world no.17 Karen Khachanov in the 4th round on Tuesday at 6:30 pm on ARANTXA SANCHEZ STADIUM. Their current head to head is 3-1 for Sinner.
Sinner conquered 3 titles in 2024 at the Australian Open, Rotterdam and Miami.
The Italian won 14 titles in his career: 6 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts and 7 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Sinner is scheduled to play next in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia). He will start to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 8th of May.
Pavel Kotov and Jannik Sinner played each other just 1 time. The head to head is 1-0 for Sinner. When they played, Jannik Sinner won 6-2 7-5 in the 3rd round in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) on the 29th of April 2024.
Here the video highlights.
