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Posted:
2024-01-28 07:41:14
Original link:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-28/australian-open-live-updates-jannik-sinner-daniil-medvedev-final/103395420
Jannik Sinner has pulled off an astonishing comeback from two sets to love down to defeat Daniil Medvedev in a gripping Australian Open men's final.
Sinner, making his first appearance in a major final, looked down and out after Medvedev convincingly won the opening two sets on Rod Laver Arena.
But fourth-seeded Sinner somehow worked his way back into the contest to beat a weary Medvedev 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 after three hours and 44 minutes on court.
The 22-year-old is only the third Italian to win a men's major — the last coming in 1976 — and the first to claim the Australian Open.
Sinner will remain at number four in the world rankings despite his stunning victory.
The result leaves Medvedev 0-3 in Australian Open finals after he also lost the 2021 and 2022 tournament deciders.
In 2022, he also won the first two sets before losing in five to Rafael Nadal.
After the match, Sinner thanked his support team, which includes Australian Darren Cahill.
"We are trying to get better every day," Sinner said during the presentation ceremony.
"I'm so grateful to have you there understanding me, which is not always easy because I am still young sometimes."
Sinner also paid tribute to his parents for their support when he was growing up.
"I wish everyone could have my parents because they always let me choose whatever I wanted to," he said.
"They never put pressure on me and I wish this freedom is possible for as many young kids as possible."
On his way to reaching this year's final, Medvedev had spent almost 21 hours on court and survived three taxing five-set matches, including his semifinal epic against Alexander Zverev, when he came back to win after losing the first two sets.
It was clear fatigue played a role in the Russian relinquishing his two-sets-to-love lead in the final, but nothing can be taken away from Sinner's inspirational fightback.
The deciding fifth set went on serve until the sixth game when Sinner struck a massive blow by breaking world number three Medvedev.
He had three break points up his sleeve and converted on the second, with his crosscourt forehand winner bringing the crowd to its feet.
Sinner made no mistake with his next service game, mixing in an ace with some lengthy rallies as he worked Medvedev around the court.
Medvedev won his next service game to trail 5-3, before Sinner served out the match to wrap up the biggest win of his young career.
Earlier, Medvedev hit the ground running by breaking Sinner in just the third game of the opening set.
At 5-3, Medvedev broke a second time to claim the first set in 36 minutes, with his only blemish being the 14 unforced errors he made to Sinner's eight.
Sinner, who had only lost one set prior to the final, was again under pressure early in the second against Medvedev.
He saved four break points in the second game but eventually held, much to the delight of the crowd and the relief of his player's box.
Sinner could not repeat the effort in his next two service games, however, with Medvedev racing out to a 5-1 lead.
Medvedev served for the set but was broken by Sinner for the first time in the match.
It was a brief reprieve, though, as Medvedev claimed the second set in his next service game to leave Sinner with an uphill task to keep his championship hopes alive.
The third set was more evenly contested, with the turning point coming in the ninth game on Medvedev's serve.
After trailing 0-30, Medvedev won the next three points, but a string of forehand errors saw him cough up a service break to give Sinner the third set.
Medvedev found himself in trouble when he twice faced break points early in the fourth set.
Despite tiredness being a factor, he saved both and then had Sinner on the ropes with a break point of his own at 3-3.
Sinner served two aces on his way to holding, before the pivotal moment of the set came in the 10th game.
Serving at 4-5, Medvedev led 40-30 but he lost the next three points, giving up the fourth set when a forehand return went long.
Look back on all the action in our live blog.
All hail the new champ
A thrilling tournament comes to a fitting end.
Jannik Sinner joins the new wave of young grand slam champs along with Carlos Alcaraz in the men's, and Coco Gauff in the women's that has the sport in good hands going forward.
Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka has established herself as a challenger for the title of the best player on the women's side.
For myself and all my fellow bloggers — Claudia, Simon, Mick, Hanan, Dean and Andrew — and man on the ground Luke Pentony, thanks for sticking with us throughout this tournament.
Until next time…
LoadingSinner getting love from across the tennis world
The historic moment
Correction
Pretty sure Medvedev also lost from two sets to love up at the AO final 2022