Jannik Sinner produced a comeback for the ages to outlast Daniil Medvedev 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in a high-quality final and win his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Sunday, becoming the new King of Melbourne Park.
Sinner became the first Australian champion for a decade not to be named Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal or Roger Federer in the first men’s title clash at Rod Laver Arena since 2005 not to feature any of the “Big Three”.
It was only the third and fourth times that the in-form Sinner had dropped his serve in the tournament and the 22-year-old appeared to be troubled by the flat trajectory of his opponent’s shots early in the contest.
Medvedev’s only previous loss in 51 Grand Slam matches on hardcourts after winning the opening set came at Melbourne Park in the 2022 title clash against Nadal and the 27-year-old Russian nicknamed the “Octopus” soon got one tentacle on the trophy.
After wasting four opportunities to break in the second game, which had five deuces and lasted nearly 12 minutes, Medvedev, who also lost the 2021 final to Djokovic, got his nose in front 3-1 on his way to wrapping up the second set as Sinner’s hopes of responding faded with the setting sun.
Sinner missed an easy forehand pass at the net after a 31-shot rally in the 10th game of the third set but shrugged it off to break Medvedev and win the set, beginning his comeback in the clash which suddenly had a different feel to it.
The Italian saved a breakpoint at 3-3 in a tense fourth set with a big ace and pounced on Medvedev’s serve again late on to level the match at two sets apiece before a vital break for a 4-2 lead in the decider put him on course for victory.
