Sinner made history in Australia by beating Medvedev in five sets

Her magnificent forehand, lethal weapon and serve gave her a long-awaited and hard-fought victory against an opponent who slipped in her third final in Melbourne and also came back two sets. Rafael Nadal In 2022.

Sinner He became the 27th champion of the tournament in the Open era (1968) and has since become the first person to have his name etched on the record outside the Melbourne area of ​​the ‘Big Three’. Roger Federer He won the first of his six championships in 2004. Novak Djokovic He holds a record with 10 and Rafael Nadal won two. Since then, in the last 20 years only Russian Marat Safin (2005) and Switzerland Stan Wawrinka (2014) They managed to put a sign with their names in the champions hall of Rod Laver Arena.

Russian domination

Medvedev surprised Sinner with your exit strategy. Unlike previous matches, the Russian tennis player stood on the baseline and applied aggressive play from the first point, solid on the baseline but even rising to the net.

In the third match, the Russians had already achieved their goal of taking control of the match by making the first break (2-1). An advantage sufficient to prove his superiority by scoring in the 36th minute with the second break in the first set (6-3).

without error

The sinner couldn’t find the formula Facing the unusual style of the Russian tennis player, who holds his own almost without making mistakes, supported by the efficiency of his game (86% points on the first serve, 6 ‘aces’ and 14 wins). The Italian looked at his box for a solution.

without error

It has nothing to do with the superiority of the Italians (world No. 4) in the previous six matches of the tournament, including the match won against them. Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. Medvedev (3) He had prepared an unknown scenario to greet him and distract him. The Russian tennis player’s experience in the previous five Grand Slam finals was an asset for him.

in the second set Sinner saved four break points‘ not giving up the kickoff, but on the fourth play Medvedev He made the break (3-1) and repeated in the sixth (5-1). The Russian was unstoppable. He played chess with the ball in his hand at Rod Laver Arena.

Sinner against the ropes He managed to make his first attack in the match (5-2) and managed to create tension in his mind for the first time. Medvedev After falling behind 0-30 and losing the ball to a double fault in the first set, before closing out the second set in his favor.

Scene change

The match still happened Medvedev There were two sets on his account. “Let it go. Try something,” they urged the Italian. The sinner gritted his teeth.. Increased serve percentages (68% effectiveness). He played more aggressively and boldly. Thus, he maintained the equality until 4-4 and finally managed to break serve for the first time. Medvedev to force the fourth set (6-4).

ghost of memory In the final against Nadal in 2022, he returned to the leadership by prevailing in two sets, 3-2 and 0-40. Medvedev. It’s a bad memory. Nervousness and fatigue emerged in both tennis players. The Russian tennis player sought medical help at the beginning of the fourth set due to a problem in his right foot.

Return to victory

I had to suffer and a lot. Sinner He missed the break point in the fourth game. Medvedev suffered another defeat on the Italian player’s next serve. Serving defense was vital, but so were physical reserves. 23 hours this Medvedev Shoes worn on the track can start to weigh down your legs. AND Sinner He forced the fifth set with a new break (6-4) to test the Russian team’s resilience.

SinnerAs in the previous two sets, he started by serving. A little advantage to press Medvedev, especially if you can ‘ace’ with the second serve as you did to win the first game. Medvedev defended himself as best he could. Sinner hit and hit With the right to seek that seemingly impossible KO Medvedev He led the court through two sets.

Congratulations on your first Grand Slam. You deserved it. “There will be more finals and I hope to be in them.”

Daniil Medvedev, world number 3

And the moment came for the Italians to make the ‘break’ (4-2) and maintain their advantage by winning a 3 hour 46 minute fight to make history in another final on the Rod Laver Arena.

This was the fourth consecutive victory over Medvedev, who was the first to highlight this. “I congratulate you on your first Grand Slam. You played a great match. You deserve it. There will be more finals and hopefully I’ll be there again. This is my third defeat, but it’s better than this.” I didn’t play in it.”

The 22-year-old young Italian tennis player became the fifth tennis player to win a Grand Slam in his country. Nicola Pietrangeli (1959-60), Adriano Panatta (1976), Francesca Schiavone (2010), all three at Roland Garros and Flavia Penetta (2015) At the US Open.

fight for number 1

The victory earns him a prize of 1.9 million euros and 2,000 points, which moves him closer to the world rankings, where he will remain fourth on 8,310 points, behind Medvedev (8,765) and Carlos Alcaraz (9,255) and Novak Djokovic (9,255). . 9,855) in the fight for the No. 1 seed and the major championships opening up for the foursome this season.