Sinner wins his first major at the Australian Open

Jannik Sinner, in a remarkable comeback, overturned a two-set disadvantage to beat Daniil Medvedev 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the Australian Open men’s final on Sunday. Despite falling behind early, the fourth-seeded Sinner demonstrated resilience and determination, ultimately clinching victory after a demanding 3 hours and 44 minutes.

This triumph not only signifies Sinner’s inaugural major title but also establishes an unfortunate milestone for Medvedev, making him the first player in Grand Slam history to lose multiple finals after winning the initial two sets. Sinner acknowledged the tough moments in the match while commending Medvedev’s skills and tenacity. The 22-year-old Italian, participating in his first Slam final, initially showed nerves but adapted his game plan to emerge successfully.

Winner, winner, Jannik Sinner 🙌

The Italian celebrates his stunning Grand Slam win with his team 👏#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/3M4itX3LNi
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 28, 2024

The Russian took charge early, dictating the pace and delivering 14 winners compared to the Italian’s five in a brisk first set that concluded in just 36 minutes.

However, Sinner grappled with nervousness. He encountered difficulties in holding his opening service game of the second set but managed to save four break point chances, leveling at 1-1. Medvedev maintained control, breaking for a 3-1 lead and ultimately securing the second set, with both players exchanging breaks later in the set.

Sinner’s performance diverged from his previous six matches, characterized by errant shots that went long or wide. This was a stark contrast to his earlier form, having dropped only one set in the semifinal against Novak Djokovic.

Nevertheless, Sinner only needed to extend the match. By Sunday, Medvedev had spent 20 hours and 33 minutes on the court, the second-highest among men entering a major final, and signs of fatigue began to emerge.

Despite Medvedev’s strong start, his performance dwindled in the third set. His first-serve percentage plummeted from 86% to 50%, and he committed 15 unforced errors. Sinner seized the opportunity, breaking in the 10th game to win the set 6-4.

The trend persisted in the fourth set, with Sinner elevating his game while Medvedev faltered. Extended rallies, once a strength for Medvedev, now worked against him as fatigue took its toll. Sinner broke again in the 10th game, prompting a deciding set with cheers resonating in Rod Laver Arena.

Although Medvedev had a break-point chance in the seventh game of the fourth set, he couldn’t capitalize. Sinner took control in the fourth and early in the fifth, securing the decider 6-3 to clinch his first Grand Slam title.

Sinner, the second Italian man to achieve this feat after Adriano Panatta in 1976, expressed satisfaction with how he handled the pressure of being down two sets. He strategically played to his advantage, recognizing the physical toll on Medvedev, who had spent extensive time on the court throughout the tournament.

For Medvedev, the Australian Open remains a mixed experience. Despite reaching three finals in Melbourne, he has lost on all three occasions. Fatigue took a toll, with Medvedev describing this year’s tournament as the most demanding he has ever played, participating in 31 sets—the highest among any player at a major.

Medvedev acknowledged experiencing some physical fatigue, noting that in previous matches, his opponents had been unable to take advantage of it. He observed a consistent pattern in the match – a decline in energy levels after two sets, attributed to less-than-ideal sleep and the prolonged play in earlier rounds.

Taking responsibility for the situation, Medvedev admitted that winning matches more convincingly was challenging but emphasized his role in the outcome.

Medvedev faced an unprecedented challenge, as no man had ever won the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final of a major, all in five sets.

The final going the full distance establishes a record for the highest number of five-set matches played at an Australian Open and matches the record for the most in a major, tying with the 1983 US Open.

Following his breakthrough victory, Sinner is set to maintain his world No. 4 ranking, while Medvedev will secure the No. 3 position, creating a gap between the current top four and the fifth-ranked Andrey Rublev.

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