Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – Jannik Sinner beats Daniil Medvedev today in the match of the third day of the Ilie Nastase group at the ATP Finals 2024 in Turin and qualifies for the semifinals as the first of the group. The world number 1, already certain of the position and qualification even before the match, overcomes the Russian 6-3, 6-4 in 1h13' and closes 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 know their opponents who will exit the group named after John Newcombe. Eliminated Medvedev, as well as the Australian Alex De Minaur, number 9 ATP.
"It was a great match in a great atmosphere," Sinner said in the on-court interview. "It was a tough match, Medvedev and I know each other very well. I was able to interpret the match well from a tactical point of view, qualifying for the semifinals was the first goal: now we'll see how it goes on Saturday," he added.
"The first match with De Minaur was difficult because I was coming from a long period without a match. The victory against Fritz in the second match put me in a great position in the rankings. Today's match I hope will give me confidence in view of the semifinal: I hope to raise the level further, but I'm happy with how I'm playing", he concludes.
The 23-year-old from Alto Adige has won his eighth match in 15 head-to-head matches against the Muscovite and now leads 8-7 in head-to-head matches: Sinner has won 8 of his last 9 matches against the Russian.
Sinner, who closes with an ordinary 56% of first serves, resolves today's match by raising the level in the crucial moments of the two sets. At 3-3 in the first set, after having wasted a break point, the Italian breaks the match: he scores a partial of 12-1, breaks the rival's serve and closes the set with a game to love 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 remaining hooked to the match, returns the break and turns the situation around, taking it to 4-3. Sinner metabolizes the empty passage and puts the arrow back: new break, Jannik ahead 5-4 and closure 6-4.
The South Tyrolean starts off fast and holds his serve to love. The Russian is also solid on serve, conceding only a 15 and tying the score at 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 Italian, however, closes the game at 15 without difficulty, finding three direct points with his serve. The fourth game is a formality for Medvedev who cashes in on an unforced error with Sinner's forehand and then hits three winners for 2-2.
In the 5th game, Sinner quickly climbs to 40-0, loses a fifteen with a backhand recovery long on the Russian's attack but closes with a slap volley coming off serve.
In the sixth game, Medvedev has troubles and concedes two break points. On the first, Sinner sends a forehand long after a prolonged exchange. Then the world number 4 makes the difference again with the first and closes with a backhand winner down the line: 3-3.
The seventh game is a monologue from the Italian. Two excellent points played in push by the Italian followed by two forehand errors from the Muscovite: 4-3. In the eighth game, more problems on serve 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 from his opponent.
The Pusterese holds his serve to love, wins the first set and also the mathematical certainty of having won the group.
Medvedev starts well in the second set, defending his serve at 15. Sinner holds the second game to love with ease and in the third he breaks serve with two wonderful points at 30-30. First he earns the break point with a forehand in advance, then he converts it by opening up the court with an inside-out forehand and closing with a backhand.
The 4th is the first game fought on the Italian's serve who at 30-30 takes advantage of a return at the net by Medvedev and then scores with a serve and volley by the Italian to consolidate the break.
The Muscovite gets back on track with a game at 15 and in the sixth game he breaks Sinner's serve for the first and only time and gets back into the match thanks to a forehand into the net from the South Tyrolean.
Medvedev takes the lead at 4-3, holding serve to love with two aces. Sinner doesn't give up though: from 0-15 he always serves the first serve and with 4 points in a row he catches up with his opponent at 4-4.
In the ninth game the turning point of the match at 40-40 the Italian wins a fabulous point with a forehand down the line and in the next point the Russian sends a forehand into the net and suffers the break. Sinner goes to serve for the match and closes on the first match point in one hour and 13 minutes.
