Jannik Sinner staged a stunning comeback to win his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and become tennis’ new superstar.
But Daniil Medvedev will be haunted by his third defeat in the final here – and the second time after leading by two sets. He also set a new Grand Slam record of spending over 24 hours on court during his seven matches only to go down to a painful, exhausting defeat.
The Russian world No.3 played near perfect tennis to take the first two sets in only 85 minutes against the hottest young player at the tournament.
His flat hitting troubled the shellshocked Sinner, 22, who suffered early nerves on his Grand Slam debut.
But the Italian, who destroyed defending champion Djokovic in the semi-finals without facing a break point, slowly refound his form to win a heavyweight hitting encounter 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in three hours and 44 minutes.
This was the first Australian Open men’s final since 2005 without any of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafa Nadal when Russian Marat Safin won here.
Nick Kyrigos has dubbed Sinner the “New Novak” and the 22-year-old, who has drastically improved his game in the last six months, seems destined to win many more Grand Slams.
Sinner led Italy to the Davis Cup for the first time since 1976 in November and now he has ended his country’s 48-year wait for an Italian male Grand Slam singles winner since Adriano Panatta won the French Open in the same year.
Andy Murray lost five finals here and never claimed the title. The 2021 US Open winner Medvedev spent 24 hours and 17 minutes on court to break the record of 23 hours and 40 minutes set by Carlos Alcaraz at the 2022 US Open.
But the Fox, the nickname of Sinner, was finally too cunning and quick for the Bear – Medvedev’s name in Russian.
The world No.4 has made huge progress in his game since losing the Wimbledon semi-final but he did not perform early in his first Grand Slam final as Medvedev came out firing.
The Italian made only three first serves in his first two service games as the world No.3 broke to lead 2-1 with a forehand pass down the line.
He broke to take the first set after 36 minutes when Sinner sent a backhand long. His coach Simone Vagnozzi urged him to: “Stay strong” but he made only 54% (15 out of 28) first serves in the opening set against 86% by Medvedev.
It was a similar story in the fourth set as the Russian, who had spent nearly six more hours on court than Sinner before the final, started to flag.
At 3-3, the Italian’s coach Darren Cahill told Sinner: “He’s tired. Keep working him.”
Medvedev’s serve became less lethal and he was less aggressive with his return of serves.
Sinner took his first set point when Medvedev sent a forehand long to bring the match level after three and six minutes.
The Russian had already had a kit change after the third set and he tried to change again in the normal changeover after the fourth set but was given a time violation by French chair umpire Aurelie Tourte when he was not ready to receive on time.
Sinner broke to lead 4-2 in the final set after attacking a second set and putting away a forehand winner.
In the next game he won an extraordinary 27-shot rally with another forehand winner before taking his first match point with a crushing forehand winner down the line.
