Sinner beats Medvedev today, Jannik in the ATP Finals semifinal with 3 victories

Jannik Sinner beats Daniil Medvedev today in the match of the third day of the Ilie Nastase group at the 2024 ATP Finals of Turin and qualified for the semi-finals as first in the group. The world number 1, already certain of his position and qualification even before the match, beat the Russian 6-3, 6-4 in 1h13′ and concluded the first phase of the tournament with 3 victories in as many matches.

In the group, in second place is the American Taylor Fritz, number 5 in the world, who advances to the semifinals. Tomorrow Sinner and Fritz will meet their opponents who will emerge from the group named after John Newcombe. Medvedev eliminated, as well as the Australian Alex De Minaur, number 9 ATP.

What Sinner said

“It was a great match in a great atmosphere,” says Sinner in the on-pitch interview. “It was a difficult match, we know each other very well with Medvedev. I was able to interpret the match well from a tactical point of view, qualification for the semi-final was the first objective: now let’s see how Saturday goes”, he adds.

“The first match with De Minaur was difficult because I had come from a long period without a match. The victory against Fritz in the second match put me in an excellent position in the rankings. I hope today’s match gives me confidence in view of the semi-final: I hope to raise the level further, but I’m happy with how I’m playing”, he concludes.

It matches

The 23-year-old from South Tyrol achieved his eighth success in 15 direct matches against the Muscovite and now leads 8-7 in head-to-head matches: Sinner has won 8 of the last 9 matches against the Russian.

Sinner, who finished with an ordinary 56% of first balls, resolved today’s match by raising the level in the crucial moments of the two halves. At 3-3 in the first set, after wasting a break point, the blue split the match: he scores a 12-1 run, breaks his rival’s serve and closes the set with a game to zero for 6- 3 in 32′.

The world number 1 accelerates in the third game of the second set (2-1) with the break that seems to definitively direct the match. Medvedev has the merit of staying connected to the match, returning the break and turning the situation around taking the lead at 4-3. Sinner metabolizes the missed pass and puts the arrow back: new break, Jannik ahead 5-4 and closure 6-4.

The game by game challenge

Sprint start from the South Tyrolean who holds serve at zero. The Russian was also solid on serve, conceding only a 15 and making it 1-1.

In the third game the world number one loses the first point on serve due to an excellent backhand attack by his opponent. The blue, however, closed the game at 15 without difficulty, finding three direct points with the serve. The fourth game is a formality for Medvedev who collects a free error with Sinner’s forehand and then hits three winners to make it 2-2.

In the 5th game Sinner quickly rises to 40-0, loses a fifteen with a long backhand recovery on the Russian’s attack but closes with the volley coming out of serve.

In the sixth game first difficulties for Medvedev who concedes two break points. On the first Sinner sends a forehand long after a prolonged exchange. Then the world number 4 returns to make the difference with the first and closes with a backhand down-the-line winner: 3-3.

The seventh game is a monologue from the blue. Two excellent points played in push by the blue followed by two forehand errors by the Muscovite: 4-3. In the eighth game more service problems for Medvedev who concedes two more break points. Sinner scores on the first of two opportunities with a great defense followed by a forehand into the net by his opponent.

The Pusterese player holds serve at zero, wins the first set and also the mathematical certainty of having won the group.

Medvedev starts well in the second set, defending serve at 15. Sinner holds the second game to zero with ease and in the third he breaks serve with two wonderful points at 30-30. First he earns the break point with an advancing forehand, then he converts it by opening up the court with the inside-out forehand and closing with the backhand.

The 4th is the first game fought on the blue’s serve who at 30-30 takes advantage of a return goal from Medvedev and then scores with a serve and volley from the blue to consolidate the break.

The Muscovite returns to move the score with a game at 15 and in the sixth game he breaks Sinner’s serve for the first and only time and returns to the match thanks to a forehand into the net by the South Tyrolean.

Medvedev takes the lead at 4-3 by holding serve at zero with two aces. However, Sinner doesn’t give up: from 0-15 he always puts first and with 4 points in a row he catches his opponent at 4-4.

In the ninth game the turning point of the match at 40-40 the blue wins a fabulous point with a forehand down the line on the line and in the next point the Russian sends a forehand into the net and suffers the break. Sinner served for the match and closed on his first match point in an hour and 13 minutes.