Jannik Sinner has won his maiden Grand Slam title in dramatic fashion, coming from two sets to love down to defeat Daniil Medvedev 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.
After a three-hour-and-forty-four-minute battle on Rod Laver Arena, 22-year-old Sinner became the first Italian man to win a major since Adriano Panatta at the 1976 French Open.
Contesting his first Grand Slam final – and as the favourite no less – Sinner looked understandably nervous from the outset.
Coming into the encounter, the 2023 Davis Cup hero with Italy had controlled the recent head-to-head with Medvedev – having won the pairs past three battles – but early action resembled their first six contests which went in favour of the Russian.
The 2021 US Open champion employed an aggressive gameplan, returning with brilliance and testing the Sinner backhand.
Medvedev – now a three-time finalist at Melbourne Park – broke the 22-year-old in his second service game; having been broken just twice in his six matches en route to the final.
A similar pattern ensued in the second, with Medvedev generating break point opportunities on the Italian’s first two service games and ultimately opening a 5-1 lead.
With the set all but gone, Sinner found one break back and had a chance to get both – ultimately giving him some momentum to take into the third.
A more even set saw Medvedev just two points from having the chance to serve for the title at 4-4 deuce, before the Italian held and instantly broke – mounting the start of his incredible comeback.
As the Russian began to struggle physically, Sinner was able to play more freely and assertive – again breaking at 4-5 in the fourth set to force a decider.
Having spent over twenty-four hours on court – the most of any player in a single Grand Slam in tennis history – Medvedev was unable to match Sinner in the fifth as the Italian broke at 2-3 and served his way to the Australian Open title.
“I just tried to stay positive, trying to stick to the game plan, which I had to adjust a little bit,” Sinner revealed post-match.
“Daniil is an incredible player, and he showed this also today again; an incredible fighter. He spent so many hours on court. I'm obviously sorry for him today, but for sure he will lift some more Grand Slam trophies.”
Sinner – who remained calm and composed during his first major title winning post-match press conference – was proud of the fortnight, but has his eyes firmly fixed on more success in the future.
“Beating Novak in the semis and then Daniil today in the final, they are tough players to beat. So, it's a great moment for me and my team,” Sinner disclosed.
“But in the other way, we also know that we have to improve if we want to have another chance to hold a big trophy again.”
Medvedev – who was distraught after his 2022 final defeat to Rafael Nadal – appeared in positive spirits this time around, despite becoming the first man in history to lose from two sets up in multiple major finals.
“[It’s a] different feeling [to 2022]. Now I'm dreaming more than ever, probably not today, but in general, in life. That's why I made it to the final,” he told the media.
Speaking on Sinner, who is now less than 2000 ATP points shy of Djokovic and world number one, Medvedev has full belief the Italian will ascent the rankings.
“[If] he continues playing like this, continues winning tournaments like this, he's going to be No. 1 in the world,” he divulged.
“[But] we never know what can happen. That's why I think tennis is a beautiful sport because you cannot look in the future.”