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 3-6 6-4 1-0 Medvedev*
Ah, tennis. Momentum is so, so key and Sinner has it at the start of the fourth.
He holds to love as Medvedev goes long. That sends a message.
Now, Medvedev. He’s lost an Australian Open final from two sets up before and has been on court A LOT this tournament.
Is he fading physically after already playing three five-setters?
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
Sinner 3-6 3-6 6-4 Medvedev - Sinner wins the third set!
Medvedev takes a bathroom break after the third set - forcing a break of almost six minutes between points. Onto the fourth we go.
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
Sinner 3-6 3-6 6-4 Medvedev - Sinner wins the third set!
Sinner’s backhand is starting to find it’s range! He wins the latest baseline duel and Medvedev goes long to bring up set point!
Medvedev goes long!
We have a final! Sinner survies and forces the fourth!
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
Sinner 3-6 3-6 5-4 Medvedev*
Oh, hello? Sinner wins a tense baseline exchange to get to 0-30 on the Medvedev serve, and the Italian is suddenly two points from the set.
Medvedev steadies with the wide serve and backhand winner.
RALLY OF THE MATCH! Sinner and Medvedev go toe-for-toe on the baseline, before Sinner goes for the drop shot, it opens up the angle, but Sinner puts the forehand wide!
What a chance to get to break point... and then Sinner puts his return into the net!
Medvedev goes long!
Deuce.
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
Sinner 3-6 3-6 5-4 Medvedev*
Sinner was starting to find some momentum but Medvedev does what he’s been doing all much and disrupts the Italian to get to deuce from 40-15, winning the baseline exchanges and forcing errors from the 22-year-old.
Huge moments these on deuce: Medvedev gets a little loose on the forehand, drifting long. Big first serve from Sinner and the forehand winner!
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
Sinner 3-6 3-6 4-3 Medvedev*
We’re racing through the service games at the moment, as we approach the two-hour mark of the match. There are going to be some huge points coming up very soon if we continue marching on at this rate.
Sinner will feel more confident heading into a tiebreak, if we get there, as his serve has become more dominant. He gets another love-hold in a blink of an eye.
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
Sinner 3-6 3-6 3-2 Medvedev*
Sinner’s won his first 10 first-serve points in this set. He needs to find that accuracy to keep striking ahead in this set.
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
*Sinner 3-6 3-6 2-2 Medvedev
Half a chance for Sinner. After winning the opening point, Sinner had a look at a forehand down the line but pushed it wide. From there, Medvedev holds behind strong net play and as Sinner fires long on the return.
Australian Open LIVE: Jannik Sinner vs Daniil Medvedev
Sinner 3-6 3-6 2-1 Medvedev*
Much better from Sinner: his serve is starting to flow and he puts away a forehand winner and then an ace to get a good hold.
Medvedev had broken Sinner at the start of the first two sets so the Italian needs to lead from the front in this third.
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