Australia’s Melbourne (AP) – When Jannik Sinner realized he had successfully fought back from two sets down to win his first Grand Slam title, he calmly executed a forehand winner, dropped behind the net, and tumbled onto the court. After a nail-biting final against Daniel Medvedev, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3, he now holds the Australian Open title.
“I like dancing in an atmosphere of pressure,” he remarked, maintaining his composure in the face of stress. “I enjoy it because that’s where I often bring out my best tennis.”
He defeated Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals and defeated top-seeded Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, putting an end to the Serbian’s long reign of supremacy. Only Djokovic and Roger Federer had accomplished such things in important hard court contests before.
He thus joins exclusive company.
At the age of 22, Sinner has won the Grand Slam final more than any other male since 2008, when Djokovic won his maiden championship.
Sinner, who built on Carlos Alcaraz’s success, is a part of a generational revolution, having won the season-opening major and Wimbledon last year. “I still have a lot to work on because… beating Novak in the semifinals and then overcoming Daniil in the final, they are tough players to beat,” Sinner said. It’s a fantastic time for my group and me. However, we also understand that we must perform better if we hope to win another significant trophy.”
With his journey to the ATP Finals championship match and his November Davis Cup victory, Sinner’s triumph has shone a light on tennis in Italy. Italy was meant to witness the Australian final beneath the lights before dawn.
It was the 2021 US Open winner Medvedev’s fifth straight major final defeat. Although the third-seeded Russian dropped two sets in a Grand Slam final, he had never lost a five-set match in the Australian Open’s second round.
Sinner approached the net close to the baseline in a match that resembled a human-like start trying to win points swiftly. With more than usual elegance, he broke in the third game and won the first set in just 36 minutes.
In the second set, he had two more service breaks in the fourth and sixth games, but at 5-1, he started to struggle when trying to serve it out. On his subsequent try, he was successful.
Sinner maintained his lead in the third set until the tenth game, when Medvedev was one point away from tying the score at 5-5, but three careless mistakes cost Sinner the set and momentum.
He broke with a triple break point in the opening game, won the fourth set, quickly bounced back from being broken at 4-2, and forced a decider. He did not provide Medvedev another chance there.
In the fifth set’s sixth game, behind 4-2, Sinner relied on an unreturnable forehand winner to keep ahead of a triple break point that would have worn him out. He didn’t give Medvedev another chance after that.
Medvedev’s five prior major finals matches were against either Rafael Nadal or Djokovic. He won the US Open title in 2021 by defeating Djokovic, but he was defeated in every subsequent match.
Throughout the competition, the 27-year-old Russian often asserted that he was mentally stronger and possessed greater abilities than in the difficult five-set matches. Although he showed unquestionable tenacity, he was unsuccessful once more.
So far, Sinner has prevailed in all six of their meetings, including three finals.
“Let me start by congratulating Jannik. You’ve demonstrated once more why you merit this,” Medvedev remarked. “Maybe it’s not your last Grand Slam, but I hope if you play in another final, I will try to get my next one.”
Sinner went on to win the 35th men’s singles final of the Open era, going five sets to win. Sinner became the first Italian to win a Grand Slam singles championship since Adriano Panatta in 1976.
Medvedev faced a triple break point in the sixth game of the fifth set, having been worn out by Sinner’s play. Earning his first opportunity, he trailed 4-2 before turning things around with another forehand winner, stretching the lead to the point where he shocked the enthusiastic audience.
As a result, Sinner tied the record for the longest men’s final to stretch the entire length of the Open era, which was set in the 1983 US Open. Weary by the battle, Medvedev faced a triple break point in the sixth game of the fifth set. He seized the first opportunity, but trailing 4-0, Sinner changed gears with another forehand winner, extending the margin so far ahead that he startled the encroaching audience.
Sinner, a youthful athlete with enormous potential who has proven his toughness and skill on a large platform, is the clear winner. The tennis world is excited to see what more he can do because his path is only getting started.
Additionally, Medvedev has communicated with his loved ones and supporters.
“Unfortunately, I couldn’t do it today, but I will try to work for you next time,” he replied. “Losing in the final always hurts, but perhaps losing in the final is better than not making it to the final at all.”
