Sinner mounts a remarkable comeback, bouncing back from being two sets down to secure victory and claim the Australian Open title.
Jannik Sinner orchestrated a remarkable comeback to achieve Grand Slam success on Sunday in Melbourne.
In a stunning display of resilience, the 22-year-old fourth seed fought back from a two-set deficit, securing a 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory against Daniil Medvedev. This comeback marked a significant turning point for Sinner as he lifted his first major trophy at the Australian Open. Despite Medvedev’s dominant start inside Rod Laver Arena, Sinner roared back, sealing the triumph in a thrilling three-hour and 44-minute battle, extending his streak of four consecutive tour-level wins against his rival.
Securing the victory, Sinner made history as the first Italian man to claim a Grand Slam title since Adriano Panatta in 1976, becoming only the third Italian man to achieve this feat. Ranked as the World No. 4, Sinner’s journey to the final saw him lose just one set, and he notably ended Novak Djokovic’s impressive 33-match winning streak at the Australian Open in the semi-final, marking his 19th win in 20 matches. Demonstrating his prowess, the 22-year-old has now emerged victorious in 10 of his last 11 encounters against Top 5 opponents, further solidifying his standing in the tennis elite.
Ranked as the World No. 4, Sinner experienced an overwhelming moment as he collapsed to the floor following the decisive match point. Overcome with emotion, he quickly rose to his feet, acknowledging the enthusiastic roar from the crowd. Visibly moved, Sinner then climbed into his box, sharing heartfelt embraces with coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill. The emotional celebration captured the significance of the victory for the triumphant player and his supportive coaching team.
Medvedev faced a cruel twist of fate, battling back twice from two sets down to secure a spot in the championship match. However, his efforts were in vain as an inspired Sinner replicated the comeback, clinching the trophy. With a record of 1-5 in Grand Slam finals, Medvedev missed the chance to join the ranks of active players with multiple major singles titles. The opportunity to surpass Carlos Alcaraz and claim the No. 2 spot in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings slipped through his fingers. This defeat adds to Medvedev’s Grand Slam final setbacks, as he also succumbed to Rafael Nadal in the 2022 title match after surrendering a two-set-to-love lead on that day as well.
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As the match progressed, Sinner exhibited a noticeable freshness, likely attributed to the fact that he had only dropped one set on his way to the final, in contrast to Medvedev’s eight sets. While Sinner initially struggled to counter his opponent’s aggressive tactics in the opening two sets, he gradually turned the tide. Employing consistent and powerful hitting, the Italian took control of the rallies, wearing down the third seed and ultimately dictating the course of the match.
In the decisive fourth and fifth sets, the fourth seed, Sinner, showcased frequent success with his backhand down the line. This strategic play gradually pushed Medvedev back, particularly significant as the third seed navigated his way through his 31st set of the hard-court event. Sinner’s performance was marked by an impressive display, recording 14 aces, unleashing 50 winners, and breaking Medvedev’s serve four times. This stellar performance secured Sinner’s place in history as the first Italian champion in the tournament’s storied history.
With this victory, Sinner has improved his head-to-head record against Medvedev to 4-6 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Notably, he has secured victories in three of the past six events he has participated in since last October. Additionally, Sinner, the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals champion, played a pivotal role in guiding Italy to the Davis Cup trophy in November, showcasing his contribution to the success of the national team.
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Sinner has etched his name in tennis history as the 27th man in the Open Era to claim the Australian Open trophy, marking a significant achievement. He stands out as the first new men’s champion since Stan Wawrinka in 2014. This triumph in Melbourne adds to Sinner’s highly successful six months, a period during which he secured his inaugural ATP Masters 1000 title in Toronto and advanced to the title match at the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals, showcasing his consistent excellence on the tennis stage.