Sinner thrills in Turin, beats Medvedev in dramatic three-set semi-final

Jannik Sinner is through to his first-ever Nitto ATP Finals

Jannik Sinner in Turin (Imago/Panoramic)

Carrie Dunn

November 18, 2023

Nitto ATP Finals •Semi-final • completed

See draw

J. SinnervsD. Medvedev

Home favourite Jannik Sinner is through to the final of the Nitto ATP Finals, beating former champion Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-1.

The Italian had won their two most recent meetings, in the Beijing and Vienna finals in the last four weeks – despite Medvedev leading 6-2 in the head to head. One of those wins for the Russian was in the ATP Finals two years ago, when Sinner stepped in as an alternate, pushing Medvedev to save two match points, 6-0, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (8).

This, however, is a new Sinner, one now more used to the big occasion, and unbeaten this week after winning the Green Group. He is the first Italian ever to reach the semi-finals of the year-end finale, and now holds a 61-14 record this season – the most wins by an Italian man in the Open Era, joining Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz as the only male players with over 60 match victories this season.

SCENES!!! 🥵

Court-side for the moment @janniksin made the #NittoATPFinals Final! pic.twitter.com/qHPNwFRV6d
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 18, 2023

Medvedev managed only one break point in the first set, but despite that resounding dominance from Sinner, there was still some hope for a comeback. In the last five years, only one man has won an ATP Finals semi-final after dropping the opening set, and that was Medvedev, against Rafael Nadal in 2020.

But after taking that second set, switching up his tactics and ramping up the aggression, Medvedev conceded the first break in the decider, allowing Sinner to move to a 2-0 lead.

And in the following game, Medvedev got a warning from the umpire after throwing his racquet at 15-all and then proceeding to enter into an argument with a spectator.

The former world No 1 rallied, but could not keep the errors from creeping into his game, broken again in an eight-minute sixth game and Sinner leapt on the chance to serve out the match to love.