Jannik Sinner withstood several momentum shifts to beat Daniil Medvedev for the second time at a Grand Slam this year to reach the US Open semifinals.
The pair had met twice in Grand Slams before this latest match at Flushing Meadows. Both were epic battles, meaning fans had high expectations for their third major meeting.
Sinner defeated Medvedev from two sets down in the Australian Open final to claim his first Grand Slam title at the start of the season. It was an incredible fightback by the Italian after being outplayed in the first two sets.
Medvedev got his revenge in the Wimbledon quarterfinal, winning another five-set battle. Sinner was struggling physically towards the end of that match, but it was still a great victory for Medvedev.
The 23-year-old, armed with his much-improved serve, hoped to take advantage of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz being knocked out early by beating Medvedev. He knew he would be a significant favorite to win the tournament if he did.
Sinner played like the world No. 1 in the opening set. Admittedly, Medvedev was uncharacteristically wayward with his groundstrokes, but that should not detract from the Italian's solidity throughout.
Medvedev was broken in the second and seventh games of the set, losing the set 6-2. He looked all at sea, and it seemed like the match could get away from him quickly.
However, Medvedev's response was emphatic in the second set. The 2021 US Open champion has played many excellent sets throughout his career, but few have been as good as the second against Sinner in this contest.
Medvedev struck winners from all over the court to race into a 5-0 lead. Sinner avoided being bageled, but that only delayed the inevitable as the 28-year-old served out the set to level the match.
Unfortunately for Medvedev, his drop in level in the third set was astounding. He was as bad in the third as he was good in the second. Sinner did not have to work hard to get himself into the lead again.
Medvedev also avoided being bageled, but that was as good as it got. Sinner was one set away from victory, leading 6-2, 1-6, 6-1. No one on Arthur Ashe Stadium was sure what to expect next.
The fourth and final set was the closest of the match. Sinner managed to fend off two break points at 2-3 down with some composed shotmaking. That hold proved to be pivotal.
Medvedev got broken in his next service game. He saved two break points from 0-40 down but fell 4-3 down after being unable to save the third. He was staring down the barrel of a defeat from that point.
To his credit, Medvedev did save a match point at 3-5, forcing Sinner to serve it out. However, the Italian did not falter. Sinner claimed a 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 win, showing an impressive mentality throughout the contest.
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