A few minutes into the long-awaited quarter-final between Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton, the camera operators on No 1 Court had already completed their first searching look at the elaborate bandaging and long, white sleeve seemingly holding together the Italian’s fragile elbow.
In this match between the world No 1 and another of the most exciting young players in the sport, the narrative had already been set. After Sinner’s physical struggles in the previous round, all eyes rested on his elbow. He responded to those concerns with a soaring, emphatic performance, neutralising the nuclear Shelton serve as he returned to the Wimbledon semi-finals with an efficient 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4 win.
