Sinner takes all: 22-year-old stages great escape to win first Major

MELBOURNE, January 28

Jannik Sinner ushered in a new era at the Australian Open as the Italian capped off an outstanding fortnight with a superb comeback to outlast Daniil Medvedev and claim his first Grand Slam title today. Sinner came from two sets down to beat Medvedev 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 and become the first Melbourne champion for a decade not named Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal or Roger Federer in the first title clash since 2005 not to feature any of the “Big Three”.

I like to dance in the pressure storm. I like it because that’s where most of the time I bring out my best tennis. So I think pressure is a privilege, to be honest. Jannik Sinner

He dominated the tournament up to the final, with a thumping win over holder Djokovic in the semifinals, but had to dig deep to take his place as the king and become the first Italian man to bag a Major since Adriano Panatta won the 1976 French Open.

“It takes a little while to process everything,” said the 22-year-old after becoming the youngest champion since Djokovic won the 2008 title on Rod Laver Arena.

“I’m extremely happy how I handled things. The situation on court was very, very tough. The most important part was the support I had throughout these two weeks.”

Sinner’s star has been on the rise and he primed himself for success on the big stage by beating Djokovic at the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup at the end of last year when he led his country to their second title in the team competition.

A Grand Slam triumph was the next step to keep pace with fellow young gun Carlos Alcaraz, who already has two, and Sinner went about his task in Melbourne efficiently.

But in Medvedev, he faced a man eager to erase the pain of two defeats in the Australian Open final — to Djokovic in 2021 and Nadal in five sets in 2022 — and the Russian showed no sign of having a mental hangover from those clashes.

Medvedev’s only previous loss in 51 Grand Slam matches on hardcourts after winning the opening set came at Melbourne Park against Nadal in the 2022 final and the 27-year-old nicknamed the “Octopus” soon got one tentacle on the trophy. But Sinner showed great fortitude under pressure to win the match. He celebrated by dropping to his back on the blue court before climbing into the stands to embrace his coaches Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi.

“I like to dance in the pressure storm,” Sinner said.

“I like it because that’s where most of the time I bring out my best tennis. I’m also quite relaxed on this occasion, because I always try to enjoy on the court. So I think pressure is a privilege, to be honest.”

There was heartbreak all over again for former US Open champion Medvedev, who twice came from two sets down to reach the Melbourne Park final only to finish with a fifth defeat in six Major title clashes. After spending a Grand Slam record 24 hours and 17 minutes on court, Medvedev sounded upbeat. “I’m dreaming more than ever, probably not today but in general in life,” Medvedev said. — Reuters

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