The world number 4, Jannik Sinner, has beaten Daniil Medvedev (number 3) in a thrilling encounter to win the Australian Open title. It is the 22-year-old’s first Grand Slam title.
Sinner produced a comeback from two sets down to become the winner, beating Medvedev 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in Melbourne on Sunday, January 28.
This title win makes Sinner the first Italian to win a Grand Slam singles since 1976. It also makes him the second Italian to win a Slam in the Open era.
It had seemed the 22-year-old was going to continue in the search for his first Grand Slam title after he lost the first two sets to the Russian Medvedev in Melbourne. But Sinner showed the world in the next deciding set that he was the same young man who convincingly beat Australian Open specialist Novak Djokovic in the semi-final.
After Sinner won the deciding set 6-4, Medvedev could not stop the former from lifting his maiden Slam. The 27-year-old was made to taste his own medicine (Medvedev had come back from two sets down to beat Alexander Zverev in the semi-final).
Medvedev has now lost in the last three finals he has played against Sinner.
Speaking after the Australian Open final, the Russian congratulated Sinner, saying that he “deserves it.” He went on to say he hopes he wins the Italian in their next encounter. “I’ll try my best to do better next time,” Medvedev said.
Winning the Grand Slam title will surely boost Sinner’s confidence going forward. He has not lost a game in his last 10 matches.
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