One thing people noticed about
Jannik Sinner
is how unflappable he was on his way to the
Australian Open
final .
And also, his big smile.
In the semifinals, against the 10-time tournament champion,
Novak Djokovic
, who had never lost in that instance in
Melbourne
, the Italian took the first two sets quickly and overcame the comeback attempt of the winner of 24
Grand Slam
titles .
He didn't face any break points.
He was unfazed by the rowdy crowd at
Rod Laver Arena
nor intimidated by the moment or what was at stake: his first
major
finish .
That surely will not change when he faces the Russian
Daniil Medvedev
, champion of the
US Open
2021 and two-time finalist here, in the final this Sunday, from 5:30 in Argentina (ESPN).
Sinner missed a match point in the tiebreak against Djokovic - the only set he lost in six rounds - and 55 minutes later, after the umpire called silence for the third time, Sinner served for another match point.
He hit a forehand to win and while the umpire announced:
“Game, Set and Match: Sinner”
, the man born 22 years ago in San Candido raised his arms and smiled.
He couldn't contain her.
His eyes were shining as he meekly walked to the net to greet Djokovic as if he didn't want to rub his victory in his face.
Without much fuss, he was just happy to move forward.
Medvedev became the first men's player since
Pete Sampras
in 1995 to reach the Australian Open final by coming back from being down two sets and came within two points of elimination before prevailing 5-7, 3-6, 7- 6 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3 to
Alexander Zverev
.
And now, against Sinner, he will play in his sixth major
final
.
Jannik Sinner.
Photo.
REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez
The Italian is in his 17th Grand Slam tournament and is the first Italian to reach the final in Australia.
His moment was compared to
Roger Federer
's first title .
The Swiss failed to reach the semi-finals in his first 16 majors before winning Wimbledon.
Sinner was not a globally recognized player when he lost in the Wimbledon semi-finals to Djokovic, but his next two wins against the world number one in November in the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup semi-finals certainly made him more recognisable. .
It also helps that he has the Carota Boys
behind him
since the Italian Open in May.
What started as a temporary idea of six friends to dress as carrots became a group of followers who traveled around the world and who will be in all four Grand Slams.
Sinner's game has evolved since changing his coaching team in 2022 as he reached the quarterfinals at Australia, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Darren Cahill
, the Australian who helped
Andre Agassi
,
Lleyton Hewitt
and
Simona Halep
regain or reach number one, noticed as a TV commentator Sinner's talent and that he could reach the top.
Daniil Medvedev.
Photo: REUTERS/Tracey Nearmy
Cahill indicated that Sinner has the same qualities of other Grand Slam champions he has worked with and more importantly.
“Work ethic, purpose, desire, desire to learn, great intelligence for tennis of all champions, it is incredible.
“Jannik has it all,” he indicated.
And also a sense of humor, Cahill added.
"He is a good boy.
He has all the qualities that all great champions have, but you have to start winning for him to pay off.”
Below, all the information to follow the game: what time does it start, where to watch live and more.
How does Daniil Medvedev reach the final of the Australian Open?
The Russian, with some ups and downs but always advancing at a steady pace and hitting when he had to hit, returned to the definition of the oceanic Grand Slam.
First, he eliminated Frenchman Terence Atmane by walkover after 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 and 1-0.
In the second and third round his victims were Emil Ruusuvuori and Félix Auger-Aliassime by 3-6, 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-6 (1) and 6-0 and 6-3, 6- 4 and 6-3, respectively.
In the fourth round, he dispatched the Portuguese Nuno Borges 6-3, 7-6 (4), 5-7 and 6-1.
Already in the quarterfinals, he worked to advance against Hubert Hurkacz.
He went 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7 and 6-4.
And in the semifinals he sweated again, but managed to recover in time against Alexander Zverev: 5-7, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) and 6-3.
How does Jannik Sinner reach the final of the Australian Open?
The Italian Sinner, number four on the circuit, has been having a perfect Australian Open.
He won almost all of his matches in straight sets.
Who snatched one from him?
Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.
First and second round was against the Dutch Botic van de Zandschulp and Jesper de Jong: 6-4, 7-5 and 6-3 and 6-2, 6-2 and 6-2, respectively.
In the third round, he beat the Argentine Seba Báez with a resounding 6-0, 6-1 and 6-3, while in the fourth round he beat Karen Khachanov 6-4 7-5 6-3.
In the quarterfinals he won 6-4, 7-6 (5) and 6-3 against Andrey Rublev.
In the semis, he eliminated Novak Djokovic 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (6) and 6-3.
What time does Daniil Medvedev vs.
Jannik Sinner, for the Australian Open final?
The match will be played on Sunday, January 28 at 05:30 in Argentina at the Rod Laver Arena stadium.
Schedule for Daniil Medvedev - Jannik Sinner, according to country
Australia: 7:30 p.m.
Spain: 09:30am
Argentina: 05:30
Brazil: 05:30
Uruguay: 05:30
Paraguay: 05:30
Chile: 05:30
Venezuela: 4:30
Bolivia: 4:30
Colombia: 3:30
Ecuador: 3:30
Peru: 3:30
Mexico: 2:30
Where to watch Daniil Medvedev vs. live
Jannik Sinner, for the Australian Open final?
The match will be broadcast on ESPN 2 and Star+.
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