Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner defeats Daniil Medvedev in fifth set to win epic men’s final
Sinner defeated Medvedev 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in an epic Australian Open final
Jannik Sinner produced a stunning comeback from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev and win the Australian Open in a thrilling final. The 22-year-old Italian claimed the first grand slam title of his career in epic fashion as Medvedev suffered another heartbreaking Australian Open final defeat - the second time he has lost the final from two sets up following Rafael Nadal’s comeback two years ago.
Sinner, who defeated Novak Djokovic to reach his first grand slam final, was completely outplayed by Medvedev in the first two sets but found momentum as his powerful forehand started to dictate the match. Medvedev had survived three gruelling five-set matches to reach the final, including from two sets down against Emil Ruusuvuori in the second round and Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals, and was physically drained by the decider.
Sinner claimed the crucial break midway through the fifth set and kept his composure to serve for the title. An exhausted Medvedev, who broke the record for the most sets ever played at a grand slam, had nothing left and the former US Open champion becomes the first player to lose two grand slam finals from two sets up.
On Saturday, Aryna Sabalenka claimed back-to-back Australian Open titles with a straight-sets victory over Qinwen Zheng in Melbourne. The World No 2 sealed a dominant tournament defence with a 6-3 6-2 victory against the 12th seed Zheng, who was playing in a grand slam final for the first time.
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
Sinner 3-6 Medvedev - Medvedev wins the first set!
That’s a stunning first set from Medvedev! Night and day from his previous matches in the tournament.
14 winners from Medvedev in that first set, with Sinner winning just four of 13 points on his second serve.
Medvedev has stepped in and has managed to disrupt Sinner by taking time away from his groundstrokes.
A tactical masterclass so far from the Russian.
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
Sinner 3-6 Medvedev - Medvedev wins the first set!
Incredible from Medvedev! He attacks Sinner again from the baseline and brings up two set points against the Italian’s serve as his aggressive position continues to open up dangerous angles from the inside the court!
Sinner saves the first set point as he steadies behind a backhand duel, then finds the backhand pass down the line after Medvedev closed the net! Two saved.
Deuce - but now Medvedev finds the passing winner down the line after Sinner came to the net behind a soft volley.
Another set point: Sinner goes wide on the backhand!
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
*Sinner 3-5 Medvedev
This has been a tactical masterclass from Medvedev so far! He moves a game away from the opening set as he pushes Sinner back with his forehand strike and then thumps another ace down the middle.
Sinner now serving to stay in the set - but he hasn’t got close to touching Medvedev’s serve so far.
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
*Sinner 2-4 Medvedev
Medvedev is seeing the ball so clearly and is loving this approach! The Russian is getting into a flow of aces and forehand winners, looking to end the points early. It’s such a drastic change from his semi-final against Zverev, which was full of long, gruelling rallies from the baseline.
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
Sinner 2-3 Medvedev*
Sinner has really struggled to get his first serve in play in the opening stages of the match, with Medvedev playing aggressive against his second serve. Sinner steadies to land a couple of first serve and gets the hold as Medvedev puts the return long.
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
*Sinner 1-3 Medvedev
Wow - what a start from Medvedev. A love-hold to consolidate the break, coming into the net to put away the volley before thumping an ace up the middle.
It’s only the third time all tournament that Sinner has dropped serve.
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
Sinner 1-2 Medvedev* - Medvedev breaks!
Medvedev is playing really close to the baseline - even on the returns - and is trying to take time away from Sinner’s groundstrokes.
Sinner goes long and suddenly it’s 0-30! Medvedev holds on in an 18-shot rally, his flat backhand matching Sinner’s, and brings up three break points as Sinner goes long again!
Just a reminder that Djokovic did not get a single break point chance in the semi-final, Medvedev has three already:
And Medvedev gets the break! Sinner comes into the net and Medvedev places his forehand beyond his reach! The Russian gets his reward for an aggressive start.
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
*Sinner 1-1 Medvedev
Medvedev looked set for a comfortable opening hold but a double fault followed by a forehand error gets Sinner back to deuce.
Medvedev puts away the forehand winner after a bouncing net cord - and Medvedev holds with the ace out wide.
There’s an early pop to Sinner’s groundstrokes. I don’t think either player is going to be overwhelmed by the occasion today.
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
Sinner 1-0 Medvedev*
Sinner goes for the wide serve on the opening point and Medvedev finds an excellent angle on the return to win the first point of the match. Sinner wins the next couple of points in the rallies as he takes up his aggressive approach from the baseline, and Medvedev fires long against the second-serve.
Ace from Sinner to hold! Steady start - but Medvedev is stepping in and looks prepared to attack.
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