Australian Open men’s final: Jannik Sinner def Daniil Medvedev in extraordinary five-set comeback
Dannil Medvedev blasted Jannik Sinner off the court for two sets in the Australian Open final. Then it started to unravel - and the hottest young player in tennis announced himself to the world.
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The precedent is safe.
Over the past three years there has been a simple rule in Grand Slams - beat Novak Djokovic and you win the title.
There have obviously been a couple of occasions where Djokovic has been absent but when he’s there, if you get his scalp you get the trophy.
Twice this happened in finals by Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz but the rule even kicked in at the quarter-final level at the 2022 French Open when Rafael Nadal took down the Serbian and went on to win the tournament.
So when Jannik Sinner sent Djokovic packing in the semi-finals at Melbourne Park, precedent said the Italian was on the golden pathway.
For the first 90 minutes of last night’s Australian Open final he seemed to have taken a wrong turn off that path.
What that precedent also didn’t take into account was how his opponent in the final had his own different precedent theory going on.
Medvedev was playing in his sixth grand slam final and it was the first time he was looking at someone over the other side of the net who wasn’t Djokovic or Nadal.
Not staring back at the two best players in grand slam history, with 46 titles between them, must bring with it some sort of relief.
Unfortunately for Sinner, the Russian played like that.
Without the heavy burden of playing a legend of the sport, he was able to swing freely which spelt trouble for his younger opponent.
Medvedev didn’t miss anything in the opening half-an-hour, cruising through the first set as a shell-shocked Sinner searched for answers.
The second game of the second set seemed to be his moment.
Under pressure on his serve, Sinner got some luck when Medvedev clunked an easy overhead smash out on break point but he soon had a couple of more opportunities.
This time the No.4 seed tried something different. On both break points he went with a drop shot which pulled Medvedev out of his comfort zone. The end result was a gutsy hold of serve and for the first time the crowd was getting involved.
They didn’t want to see the mechanical Russian - who they’ve disliked for a number of years because of his antics although he has been on his best behaviour this year - run away with the title.
Sinner also has the Aussie connection with coach Darren Cahill and his hitting partner leading up to the final was none other than the great Lleyton Hewitt.
So this was the much-needed big change in momentum . . . except Sinner lost his next service game. And his next one.
Thankfully he did have his moment in the third set when he pounced on some wayward moments on serve from the No.3 seed at a very inappropriate time, to keep the match alive.
Suddenly that Djokovic precedent theory was wrestling its way back into the psyche.
And there were statistics to back up the sense that Medvedev was tiring. He’d been on the court almost six hours more throughout the past fortnight than Sinner.
So when the fourth set went Sinner’s way after 56 minutes, the precedent was back on track.
The stunning part of what was happening on Rod Laver Arena was the fact this was Sinner’s first time in the big dance.
He had well and truly earnt his invitation to the dance after a brilliant second half of 2023 where he made the semi-finals at Wimbledon (lost to Djokovic), then was the only man to defeat the world No.1 twice inside two weeks before leading Italy to victory in the Davis Cup.
Plus he had also won the second most matches on tour throughout 2023 - two behind Medvedev.
And he had only dropped one set over the past fortnight on his way to the final - a tie-break against Djokovic.
The fact he came back from two sets down to win is the stuff of legend and it’s only fitting there is a Djokovic tie-in to the result.
At just 22 Sinner is the youngest winner at Melbourne Park since, you guessed it, Djokovic back in 2008.
And we all know what precedent he went on to set after that.
11.32PM: JANNIK SINNER! AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPION!
He’s done it!
Jannik Sinner has pulled off one of the all-time grand slam comebacks, from trailing two sets to love in his first grand slam final, to win a five-set epic over Daniil Medvedev.
He falls to the ground, victorious, prevailing 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in three hours and 44 minutes.
He seals the match with a blazing forehand down the line. An extraordinary win.
11.22PM: FINISH LINE IN SIGHT FOR SINNER
FIFTH SET: *Medvedev 3 – 5 Sinner
There’s no tightening up at the finish now for Sinner, who rattles through his service game to pull within sight of victory.
He is up against someone who looks like a shell of a human being at the moment. Medvedev has given absolutely everything tonight, but his tank is on empty.
He holds serve to keep this match alive, but for how long?
11.22PM: BROKEN! SINNER SNATCHES FIFTH SET LEAD
FIFTH SET: Medvedev 2 – 4 Sinner*
Is that the moment that makes Jannik Sinner a grand slam champion?
He has worn Medvedev down over more than three and a half hours. After bringing up three break points he thunders home a forehand volley winner to break away in this fifth set.
He is two games away from glory.
11.15PM: MEDVEDEV’S INCREDIBLE IRONMAN FEATS
FIFTH SET: *Medvedev 2 – 3 Sinner
He may not win this match, but this is a superhuman effort from Daniil Medvedev.
This is his 31st set of the tournament - the most any player has played in the Open Era at a singles grand slam.
He’s also just ticked past 24 hours on court over the past two weeks - officially more time on court than any player in grand slam history, overtaking Carlos Alcaraz’s ironman efforts at the 2022 US Open.
“This is incredibly courageous from Medvedev,” says Jim Courier.
“This guy is showing his physical toughness and it is an immense engine he has.”
None of that means anything to Jannik Sinner, however. He fires a brutal forehand winner to stay ahead in the fifth set, 3-2 on serve.
11.06PM: MENTAL DEMONS EATING AWAY AT MEDVEDEV
FIFTH SET: *Medvedev 1 – 2 Sinner
Medvedev escapes another tough service game, from 15-30 down, with a couple of mighty first serves.
He’s holding on. Does he have the energy? Is he thinking about the blown title shot from two sets up against Rafael Nadal in 2022?
It’s all weighing on him at the moment, says Lleyton Hewitt.
“This is a mental battle as well, now. (Medvedev) has played so much tennis throughout these two weeks, we thought he was down and out on a couple of different occasions, he’s got to draw some strength from those matches,” says Hewitt.
“Do the demons of where he lost against Rafael Nadal a few years ago, do they start entering his mind? This isn’t just a physical battle anymore.”
11.02PM: SINNER KEEPS MOMENTUM GOING
FIFTH SET: *Medvedev 0 – 1 Sinner
Extraordinary 39-shot rally might have sapped the last ounce of energy from Medvedev – and all for nothing, as he goes long with a backhand, and Sinner follows with an ace to take the first game of the fifth set.
For the first time since the opening game this match, he is in front on the scoreboard.
10.55PM: WE’RE GOING TO A DECIDER! SINNER TAKES FOURTH 6-4
We are going to a fourth set! And Jannik Sinner will go into it with all the momentum, while Daniil Medvedev will carry the weight of the world – and more than 23 hours of grand slam tennis in the past fortnight – with him.
Not even some utterly extraordinary defensive tennis from Medvedev is enough to save him from a break to lose the fourth set 6-4. The legs are barely working, but he is desperately trying to keep himself alive.
It’s not enough. Sinner forces him deeper and deeper in the court and lights up the Rod Laver Arena crowd as a wild Medvedev forehand goes long.
From two sets down, we’re going to a deciding set.
10.38PM: TIEBREAK LOOMS AS MEDVEDEV REFUSES TO QUIT
FOURTH SET: *Medvedev 4 – 5 Sinner
Everything is a grind right now for Medvedev. Every point is a battle. Every game seems to take half an hour.
But he continues to dig deep, and fights off another barrage from Sinner to hold firm at 4-4 in the fourth set.
Will one of these players wilt? Or is a tiebreak on the cards?
There’s no wilting from Sinner, who holds. Medvedev serving to extend the fourth set now.
10.38PM: SINNER SEES OFF TENSE CHALLENGE
FOURTH SET: *Medvedev 3 – 4 Sinner
A rare hold to love for Medvedev, who needs to pick his moment soon if he is to take this in four sets. And you get the sense that he will simply run out of legs if it goes to a deciding set.
He has a quick look at 0-30, and then a single break point – he hasn’t seen one of them in what feels like an hour.
But it is snuffed out with an ace, and a somewhat exasperated slump of the shoulders from Medvedev – and it is another ace that seals the hold. We stay on serve this set.
10.30PM: MEDVEDEV SUFFERS ‘BODY BLOW’ IN FOURTH
FOURTH SET: *Medvedev 2 – 3 Sinner
Medvedev holds, and saves a break point. But how long can he hold on?
He is looking weary. Sinner is riding a wave of momentum, and is charging around the court.
Novak Djokovic famously ‘takes the legs’ of players… and it looks like Sinner has taken the same strategy.
“It feels like Medvedev is looking for another energy surge. Sinner cannot be disappointed with that game,” says Lleyton Hewitt.
“I know that he didn’t break any had the opportunity but that was a real body blow, that game, he made him work extremely hard.
“To find a way to hold serve, that could be telling as the set goes on.”
Medvedev looks super tired…
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 28, 2024
10.18PM: AUS OPEN FINAL DEMONS BITING MEDVEDEV
FOURTH SET: *Medvedev 1 – 2 Sinner
From two sets to love up – and having won three five-set matches already this tournament – you’d think Medvedev would be confident.
But it is worth remembering he fell from this position two years ago, when two-sets up against Rafael Nadal before losing in five sets.
This is his third final at Melbourne Park. AT what point do those demons start to resurface?
He has now been on court for over 23 hours this tournament….
10.12PM: SINNER ON THE ATTACK
FOURTH SET: Medvedev 1 – 1 Sinner*
Whether it’s the fresher legs or the mid-match adjustments, everything is coming up Sinner now.
The crowd is also starting to get more vocal… and it is clear they’re on the side of the Italian.
How long until that becomes something that irritates Medvedev? He’s been on his best behaviour this tournament, but we know he’s capable of getting sucked into battles with the crowd.
Sometimes it fuels him. Sometimes it burns him.
Both hold early in the fourth set, though Medvedev is forced to save a break point.
10.05PM: FATIGUE GEETTING THE BEST OF MEDVEDEV?
Suddenly the momentum is with Sinner.
At the end of the third set, Medvedev leaves the court for a bathroom break.
He’ll come back with a change of clothes, and – for his sake – hopefully a bit more energy in the legs.
“He’s good at that. He’ll extend this break as long as he can,” says Todd Woodbridge.
“I thought the observation on that last service game of him taking extra time to go to the towel on a couple of occasions would indicate that there is a little bit of fatigue and that was to be expected.”
9.57PM: SINNER FIGHTS BACK TO TAKE THIRD SET 6-4!
The first falter we’ve seen in a while, as Sinner is pushed to deuce from 40-15 up, but he escapes to the delight of the Rod Laver Arena crowd, who aren’t ready for this match to finish just yet.
But now he gets his chance to attack, with Medvedev serving to stay alive in this third set.
And attack he does – pushing Medvedev around the court with a barrage of big forehands to get a look at 0-30.
Medvedev plays outrageous defence to clinch a 31-shot rally – which included half a dozen point-saving heroics - while down 15-30.
Sinner manages to get deuce. And then break points. And then a break! Medvedev fires long, and Sinner takes the third set, seemingly out of nowhere.
9.45PM: THIRD SET: Medvedev 4 – 4 Sinner*
Another love game for Sinner. If you only looked at the players during the change of ends, you’d have no idea who was winning or losing.
Both are as calm as they were before the match. Medvedev showing no emotions to indicate he’s on the bring of a maiden Australian Open title, just as Sinner giving no signs of bombing out of his first grand slam final.
Medvedev responds with a 79-second hold of his own. He’s rattling through his service games. Giving Sinner zero chance to gather his thoughts.
9.40PM: THIRD SET: Medvedev 3 – 3 Sinner*
Both Medvedev and Sinner are in a good groove on their service games – it feels an early call, but we could be headed for a tiebreak this set.
9.25PM: SINNER LIFTS TEMPO – IS IT TOO LATE?
THIRD SET: Medvedev 2 – 2 Sinner*
Has momentum shifted, slightly? The unforced errors are starting to mount for Medvedev.
Could it be that the 20 hours he spent on court getting to the final are starting to catch up to him?
It looked that way during Sinner’s service game, but Medvedev fires right back with a comfortable hold of his own.
9.25PM: COLD-BLOODED MEDVEDEV ZEROES IN
THIRD SET: Medvedev 1 – 1 Sinner*
Two fairly comfortable holds for both finalists to lead off the third set, but Sinner needs more than that.
And nothing is going right for him right now. Even the let cord is against him – a ripping forehand looks like a winner until it catches the tape, and bounces back on his side of the court.
Medvedev, meanwhile, is showing absolutely zero emotion. He’s five games away from a second grand slam title, but you wouldn’t know it.
9.15PM: MEDVEDEV TAKES SECOND SET
Medvedev leads 6-3 6-3
A quick hold on serve – in itself, a victory of sorts – for Sinner puts the pressure back on Medvedev.
After being broken last game, the second set is once again on his racquet.
He’s pushed – and Sinner saves one set point – but the Russian regroups to take the first set. He has a two-set lead, and will be hard to beat from here.
9.04PM: SINNER GETS A BREAK BACK
SECOND SET: Medvedev 5 – 2 Sinner*
Sinner needed that, badly.
With Medvedev serving for the set, Sinner turns it on and finally finds his range.
A couple of dodgy backhands from Medvedev opens the door, and the young Italian charges through for 2-5 in the second set.
He is still down a break in this set, but he has – momentarily, at least – stopped the onslaught.
“He’s just looking for a spark at this point. He’s hoping beyond hope that Medvedev’s level drops,” says Jim Courier.
8.57PM: BROKEN! SINNER FALLING APART
SECOND SET: *Medvedev 5 – 1 Sinner
This is next-level stuff from Medvedev, who has played Sinner off the court.
He’s forcing him into areas he is not comfortable – whether that is on the court, or tactically.
Sinner is broken for a second time in the second set, charging in for a serve-volley but firing it wide.
That is not a traditional Sinner tactic, but what he’s tried has not worked so he’s opting for anything at this point.
8.52PM: BROKEN! MEDVEDEV TAKES CONTROL
SECOND SET: Medvedev 4 – 1 Sinner*
The angles Medvedev is finding here are out of this world. Sinner has become one of the great scrappers on tour, but he’s having to fight tooth and nail for his service games at the moment.
And his serve has started to malfunction. His first serve percentage is slipping, and he mixes in a double fault as he’s forced to deuce once more.
Another sloppy drop shot, on break point, proves costly.
Sinner is broken for a third time, and he’s fallen behind 3-1 in the second set.
A love hold game for Medvedev follows for 4-1 and this match is quicky slipping away for Sinner.
8.43PM: SINNER SAVES FOUR BREAK POINTS
SECOND SET: *Medvedev 1 – 1 Sinner
It’s getting real for Jannik Sinner who is, as Jim Courier notes, simply in survival mode at the moment.
But crucially, saves four break points in his first service game of the second set, via a monstrous forehand, a blown smash from Medvedev and two mad scrambles at the net.
He needs that to be a turning point.
“Have you ever seen Medvedev play batter than this?” asks Courier.
Lleyton Hewitt confirms he has not. Sinner might be inclined to agree.
8.30PM: SINNER ‘SHELLSHOCKED’ AFTER FIRST-SET MASTERCLASS
SECOND SET: Medvedev 1 – 0 Sinner*
Another comfortable hold to start the second set for Medvedev, and the young Italian needs to find his way into this match quickly.
Because he’s falling behind in rallies and he’s fallen behind on the scoreboard.
“I think early on Sinner is a little shell shocked at the moment,” says Lleyton Hewitt.
8.25PM: MEDVEDEV CLAIMS FIRST SET 6-3
Who saw that coming? Daniil Medvedev takes the first set in just 36 minutes, with a second break of Sinner’s serve.
From 15-40, Sinner saved two set points –the first when Medvedev pummels a backhand into the net after a 10-shot rally, and the second when he gets lucky with a drop-shot.
But a third – earned on the back of an utterly ridiculous recovery backhand, followed by some obscene court coverage from Medvedev – proves too much.
8.17PM: MEDVEDEV CLOSES IN ON FIRST SET
*Sinner 3 - 5 Medvedev
Sinner has found his groove on serve, but he needs a break soon or the first set will be beyond him.
On points where he lands the first serve, he’s close to untouchable tonight – as he has been throughout the tournament.
But Medvedev has tweaked his return tactics. Normally he stands on the back fence, but he’s trying to get up in Sinner’s face tonight and it’s working.
On his own racquet, the Russian has been comfortable after an early battle in his first service game.
8.07PM: AGGRESSION GIVING MEDVEDEV EARLY EDGE
Sinner 2 - 3 Medvedev*
It is early days, but these are promising signs for Daniil Medvedev.
He’s playing aggressively – perhaps because he knows if this goes to another five-set marathon that his legs might fall off.
But it’s working, so far – as he jumps all over Sinner’s second serve.
“They gave Medvedev the chance to step up in an aggressive mindset … that’s what got him the early break,” says Lleyton Hewitt.
Sinner recalibrates, however, and gets an important hold. But he remains behind a break.
8.00PM: BROKEN! MEDVEDEV DRAWS FIRST BLOOD
Sinner 1 - 2 Medvedev*
Sinner is the first to blink in this final – giving up three break points in his second service game as the Russian tactician makes his move early.
The first is saved, but Medvedev forces a mishit at the net after a series of powerful groundstrokes to snatch the first break.
He’s come out of the gate swinging. He’s been here before. He knows how important it is to start strong – how telling with experience be tonight?
7.55PM: 1-1 AS STARS TRADE EARLY BLOWS
What nerves? Jannik Sinner is playing in his first grand slam final, but he showed no nerves in his opening service game with a comfortable hold.
“An impressive opening game from Sinner, it can take a while to get the butterflies out but he came through very nicely,” says Jim Courier in commentary.
A not-so-comfortable hold follows from Daniil Medvedev – he gets there, but only after being pushed to deuce, and with another double fault.
Double faults almost ended his tournament on Australia Day when he delivered five in the opening set against Alexander Zverev.
He cannot afford to let that happen tonight.
EARLIER: THE PUKE WHICH TURNED THE TENNIS WORLD ON ITS HEAD
Jannik Sinner could become a grand slam champion tonight – and the origin of his remarkable rise is as bizarre as they come.
His stunning form explosion has delivered two titles, multiple victories over Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev, a Davis Cup triumph with Italy and just two defeats.
And the turnaround seems to stem from the China Open in Beijing in October last year.
Prior to that tournament, his win-loss record against top 10 players was 13-26 – which brought with it questions about his ability to take it to the best of the best.
However something happened in Beijing: Sinner called for a wheelie bin, midway through his quarter-final against Grigor Dimitrov, and violently vomited.
With that, ‘Post-Puke Sinner’ was born.
“A very tough evening, the level was really high. I didn’t feel very good, maybe I ate something wrong,” Sinner said after defeating Dimitrov that day.
“At one point I also threw up a little, but I’m happy with how I handled the situation.”
Little did he know what chaos he’d unleashed upon the tennis world.
Because he went on to defeat world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals and tonight’s opponent, Medvedev, in the final.
It’s triggered a run of 9-1 against the Top 10 – his only defeat coming to Djokovic in the final of the ATP Finals.
And now? A shot at a maiden grand slam final.
7.30PM: COUNTDOWN IS ON
The players set to shortly arrive on court for tonight’s final – and a warm 25 degrees at Melbourne Park.
It’s a Next Gen final, of sorts. No Novak. No Federer. No Nadal. The last time that happened Carlos Alcaraz was still in nappies.
So this should be special for many reasons.
The winner tonight will be thrust into the spotlight as the future of the men’s game.
But where will it land? Follow here and we’ll bring you the latest throughout the night.
7.15PM: SINNER HAILED ‘THE NEW NOVAK’
Jannik Sinner is just 22 years old – but he’s long been tipped for greatness.
And now Australian star Nick Kyrgios has bestowed upon him the biggest compliment of his career – labelling the young Italian as the ‘new Novak’.
Part of a young generation of stars, which includes two-time grand slam champion Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner is one of the new breed champing at the bit to take over from the all-time great Djokovic.
But who will be the dominant force of the next generation?
It could be Sinner, who has the same steely approach as the Serbian star, and could be ready to cement himself as the sport’s newest stone-cold killer.
“The changes he (coach Darren Cahill) has made in (Sinner’s) game and the willingness for Sinner to give him a try has now elevated him to the top of the sport,” Kyrgios told Eurosport.
“He’s beaten Novak - no one has done [that] here in so long. In that fashion as well, Novak didn’t even create one break point.
“I love the fact that Sinner compared; him and Novak play similar, and I can see it. After today, I think Sinner could be the new Novak.”
6.50PM: HAS MEDVEDEV GOT ANYTHING LEFT IN THE TANK?
Daniil Medvedev has been put through the wringer to get to tonight’s final.
He’s been on the brink of an early exit several times in the past fortnight – not least of all when he was two points from defeat in Friday’s semi-final against Alexander Zverev.
That makes him battle hardened. But does it also make him battle weary?
With over 20 hours on court under his belt this tournament, and three five-set epics, Medvedev has had to work hard to reach his third Australian Open final.
By comparison, Jannik Sinner has dropped just one set en route to the final and will be fresh as a daisy next to the wiry Russian.
“(Medvedev) would be angry if he doesn’t get the trophy, but it will be so hard, five hours and 49 minutes more time on court than his opponent,” said Todd Woodbridge on Channel 9.
“The physicality part (is important), but tactically he can change his game in a match, he has options.
“Against Alexander Zverev his legs were getting tired and he had to be aggressive and it got him through.”
6.30PM: AUS OPEN BOSS RESPONDS TO SCHEDULING FURORE
This year’s Australian Open started on a Sunday in a bid to help negate the prospect of late-night finishes, but the issue reared its head again during the tournament.
Daniil Medvedev’s third-round match against Emil Ruusuvuori finished at 3.49am, while Jannick Sinner’s quarter-final against Andrey Rublev did not finish until 1.12am after Novak Djokovic’s earlier day match bled into the evening session following Coco Gauff’s epic three-hour win.
Asked if there would be any more changes to the scheduling to next year’s Open to help further mitigate the chance of late finishes, Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said the scheduling would be reviewed as usual ahead of next year’s event, but he felt the changes had made an impact.
“I wish we could control the length of matches. We have had some of the longest matches that we have had in a long time,” Tiley said.
“One thing that has worked out really well this year is there is a longer recovery time between matches for the players and that is a direct result of starting a day earlier.
“It is over two hours longer, so on average players are getting a longer recovery time, which is important. We have also halved the number of finishes after 1am, so that has had a positive impact as well.
“One thing that is really difficult is to predict the length of a match - that day we had a long match, the women’s (quarter-final) match went over three hours and that’s unusual, you never really have that.
“Every year we will constantly review, but definitely the decision to start a day earlier to stretch out and take the edge off the first two days and to stretch out the first round into three days certainly is helpful.
“We’ll work with the players … no one really wants matches that go until the early-hours of the morning, but they have been magnificent contests and athletic contests.
“It’s just really the nature of the length of those matches. But there was a significant improvement this year, compared to last year’s with the actions that we have taken.” - REBECCA WILLIAMS
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