Everything was played between Daniil Medvedev (qualified) and Jannik Sinner (eliminated), but we were not bored during this unbridled Turin evening where the world No. 2 with fluctuating concentration started with a bang before briefly imploding … to end up winning at the end of a last breathtaking tie-break (6-0, 6-7 [5], 7-6 [8]). If he wanted to spare himself, it was a failure: the match lasted 2 hours 32 minutes.
So there was first the demonstration of the Russian during the first set won in 26 minutes, leaving only ten points to the young Italian completely overwhelmed. There is good in being released, especially when you don’t want to let go. The world n ° 2, arm raised from the first initial break, was everywhere, returned everything (three unforced errors), and served the lead (80% of first balls). So much for the lesson.
But Sinner was not let down despite the difficult bubble to cash in front of his audience. And his reaction was impressive. You had to be able to recover from such a slap, even in a game without a stake. And the Italian, with guts, was able to set a pace that ended up derailing the world No. 2.
Sinner more enterprising afterwards
Close to losing his serve at the start of the second set, the Italian saved the break point after a rally of twenty-four strokes. He raised his arm, the transalpine spectators got in tune, and Medvedev, an expert in dealing with somewhat hostile crowds, assumed his annoyed man posture. And this match of a beautiful intensity was balanced, with a daring Sinner, more enterprising, more solid in his attacks and more tempted towards the net, while his opponent began to make some unforced errors by lowering his pace. Resumed immediately after having managed to break away 3-1, Sinner reached the tie-break. Imperial on his serve to 5-5 in this decisive game, Medvedev strangely rushed on a poorly negotiated volley to offer a set point, which the Italian seized in beefy.
Pushed to its limits, Medvedev, who got a 3-1 ball in the third set (spoiled by a bad return), gave the impression of exploding by then serving almost only the first balls, even on second (with a few double faults), as if he wanted to shorten the debate. At 4-2 for Sinner, it passed or it broke. This happened. And the Russian, back to 4-3, then breaking to equalize before leading 5-4 at full speed, got back into this very funny game ending in tennis hurray. It took a crazy tie-break to conclude this kind of match.
Sinner defeated against the top 5 members
Medvedev saved two match points, the first on a very daring second ball, again, and the second on a serve concluded from an uneducational topspin volley. Sinner, he capitulated on his second match point, on a wonderful long-line backhand attack from a Russian passed through all the states, feverish and stainless.
Medvedev is on an eight-game Masters winning streak, while Sinner has yet to win against a top-five member in nine tries. Next challenge for the world n ° 2: in the semi-finals against the winner of the match between Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev this Friday.