Jannik Sinner ‘dead’ but down 2-1 in men’s final vs Daniil Medvedev, score, start time, preview, analysis, latest news

For just the second time since 2005, a name other than Djokovic, Federer or Nadal will be etched into the Australian Open trophy as Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev contest the final of the men’s singles. Follow live!

Medvedev will be hoping the ghosts of 2022’s two-sets-up-collapse against Rafael Nadal aren’t haunting him, as after taking a two-set lead he dropped the third to lead 6-3 6-3 4-6.

Sinner, in his first slam final, is bidding to become the first Italian man to win a slam since Adriano Panatta in 1976, and ironically given who he beat in the semis, the youngest Australian Open winner since Novak Djokovic’s 2008 breakthrough.

Medvedev is 1-4 in grand slam finals, losing twice at the US Open (2019, 2023) along with the 2021 crown which denied Djokovic the year’s grand slam, plus two losses in Melbourne (2021, 2022).

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Aussie great Lleyton Hewitt was spotted helping Sinner warm up before the match, while John Millman had a hit with Medvedev – and flagged the Russian seemed more powerful and aggressive than usual, which turned out to be the case in the early stages.

While Medvedev had some slight issues in his opening service game, bringing back memories of his double-fault issues in the semi-final comeback, he fought through them for 1-1.

Instead it was Sinner battling on his serve in the ensuing game, Medvedev racing out to 0-40 before a huge return allowed him to break, quickly consolidating for 3-1.

American great Jim Courier pointed out Medvedev had made a clear, conscious decision to abandon his trademark deep returns – standing three to four metres closer than usual, while also hitting the ball with 8-9 km/h more pace.

“A couple of matches ago against Hubert Hurkacz he stood in close, which is different for him. Normally he is five metres deep on the first serve and three on the second, he is standing close and taking this on,” Courier said.

“He’s gone nuclear on his returns.”

Medvedev’s plan was clear – go big so Sinner would go home, the exact opposite to his overly-conservative semi-final start where he allowed Alex Zverev to dictate and thus win the opening two sets.

He was helped by Sinner being “too predictable” on his second serves, according to Jim Courier; the Italian had won just four of 12 points on said serve at that stage.

Medvedev claimed two break and set points at 5-3, erring on the first before anticipating a drop shot well but sending it right back to Sinner, who easily found a down-the-line winner.

The Russian’s incredible movement allowed him to save a drop volley on the ensuing point for a third break and set chance; Sinner fired one wide to hand Medvedev the opener 6-3.

Medvedev came into the night 50-1 when winning the opening set in hard court slams, but the only loss came in the 2022 Australian Open final.

“We won’t know until after this match whether this strategy from Medvedev, which is outside of his normal comfort zone, this ultra aggressive return position and aggressive on the forehand and backhand, is it because he is tired or is it because he thinks it’s the right strategy for Sinner?” Courier asked.

“If he is doing this because he doesn’t think he can play long points, he may have actually stumbled upon a good strategy.”

After not facing a single break point in the semi-final win over Djokovic, Sinner faced three more to open the second set. He should’ve been broken on the second, but Medvedev botched a simple smash winner, and on the third too, but saved a few dangerous volleys before holding for 1-1.

That felt enormous in terms of the match yet Medvedev produced more of the same in the fourth game of the set, and finally broke through for a 3-1 advantage.

Things nearly broke down completely a break later when the Russian served for the set, but Sinner had the Rod Laver Arena crowd roaring as he broke right back for 5-2, staying alive if only briefly.

More wobbles came on Medvedev’s serve at 5-3, falling down 0-30 and then double-faulting on set point, though he was able to save a break-back point thanks to a Sinner error. The Russian’s serve allowed him to dictate play on another set point, forcing another error for another 6-3 set.

Two sets down, Sinner was heard quipping “I’m dead”.

Medvedev clearly wasn’t happy with his third set play, delivering six unforced errors to just one winner in the opening five games, prompting a rare mid-game racquet change which forced Sinner to simply wait for his opponent.

“Interesting that he is doing this before the change of ends, which is a point away potentially,” Jim Courier said.

“Different racquet. Probably looking for a slightly different string tension.

“Odd time to do it, you don’t often see that.”

Just as Medvedev’s level was dropping, Sinner’s was lifting, with a love hold for 4-3 putting him closer to claiming a set than he’d been all match. The hold for 5-4 was nervier, with Medvedev getting to deuce but no closer.

Sinner was about to nab two break and set points at 15-40 in the ensuing game after a brilliant drop shot, but chose to volley to the skinnier side of Medvedev at the net and sent it wide.

Yet he kept the momentum, soon earning a first set point off a Medvedev error and somehow getting a big first serve on his racquet to allow another Medvedev error; the third set was Sinner’s, 6-4.

The crowd was clearly on Sinner’s side – not quite to the standard of the crowd as Nadal began his fightback from two sets down in the 2022 final, but enough to seemingly rattle the Russian.

The Italian then held to love to begin the fourth set, continuing his rise back into the match, with Medvedev’s coach looking clearly concerned in the stands as he was nearly broken in his opening service game.

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KYRGIOS BRANDS GRAND SLAM FINAL DEBUTANT ‘THE NEW NOVAK’

If a bold prediction from Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios is anything to go by, Jannik Sinner is at the start of what could be a fruitful spell as the new king of Melbourne.

As he watched Sinner dismantle ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, Kyrgios prophesised the Italian “could be the new Novak”, so comprehensive was the four-set dismantling.

Sinner brushed aside Djokovic 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 to progress into his first grand slam final and potentially usher in a new era of dominance in Melbourne.

The win over Djokovic also continued the steep, upward trajectory of Sinner’s career since bringing renowned Australian coach Darren Cahill into his tight-knit team.

Kyrgios felt the addition of Cahill has been vital in aiding Sinner’s ascension which, if his prediction rings true, could reach stratospheric heights.

“The changes he [coach Darren Cahill] has made in his [Sinner’s] game and the willingness for Sinner to give him a try has now elevated him to the top of the sport,” Kyrgios told Eurosport.

“He’s beaten Novak – no one has done [that] here in so long. In that fashion as well, Novak didn’t even create one break point.

“I love the fact that Sinner compared; him and Novak play similar, and I can see it. After today, I think Sinner could be the new Novak.”

HOW DOING NOTHING DID A LOT

Is entering the Australian Open fresh the secret to success?

The debate has raged for years as to what the best preparation for achieving success in the Australian Open is, and as with so much, the debate often raged along state lines.

The Hopman Cup was considered an ideal environment.

The atmosphere was as relaxed as some of the matches but the often scorching conditions were considered ideal to adjust to an Australian summer.

The Kooyong Classic, too, laid claim to boasting the perfect preparation given the events proximity to Melbourne Park and ability to draw elite talent, as proved the case this year.

And there were those who preferred the cut and thrust of building match toughness in regular ATP and WTA Tour events across the country and in New Zealand.

This year, it seems, less is more when it comes to success in the Australian Open in the men’s singles.

After a taxing tournament complete with midnight madness and marathon matches, the two remaining combatants happen to be among the rare few to arrive in Melbourne feeling fresh.

As 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic and other stars including Alexander Zverev and Alex de Minuar were slugging it out in the United Cup, Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner opted for a different approach to the year’s first grand slam.

The Italian sensation, who played until late November when leading his country to a drought-breaking Davis Cup success, preferred a couple of warm-up matches at Kooyong.

Medvedev, who has proven an ironman over the past fortnight when spending more than 20 hours on the court to progress to the final, similarly opted against a proper lead-in event.

Whether it works for Medvedev remains to be seen, with his coach Gilles Cervera suspecting on Friday the Russian might have enjoyed a smoother ride if more match ready.

“Tonight it’s a good decision and let’s see on Sunday if it would be a good decision,” he said.

“But I think that if he (had) played some matches before, it could (have) helped him to start better in the tournament. That’s my feeling. So we will talk about this after the tournament.

“But again, sometimes … you have to choose between different things. (For example) if I come earlier to Australia, I know that I won’t have enough holidays and I need these holidays to get more fresh.

“So in one way you know that even if it’s not the best choice for some reason, it’s also the best choice for another reason. So you have to decide.”