Daniil Medvedev departed Melbourne in January after enduring one of the most excruciating defeats of his career. Despite playing sublime tennis to establish a two-set lead over Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final, Medvedev saw his efforts unravel, marking a challenging season for the Russian star. Yet, on Tuesday, Medvedev produced one of the biggest wins of his career, overcoming world No. 1 Sinner in a thrilling four-hour battle at Wimbledon, advancing to the semi-finals for the second consecutive year.
A Resilient Comeback
Medvedev’s journey to this point has been anything but smooth. After toiling for over 24 hours across seven matches at the Australian Open, the Russian has faced a 14-month title drought. His victory over Sinner, with a scoreline of 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3, marks a significant milestone, particularly as it came away from his favored hard courts. “I knew if I want to beat Jannik, it needs to be a tough match,” said Medvedev, who is seeded fifth this year. “He’s not anymore a guy you can beat easily.”
Evolution on Grass
Much of Medvedev’s career has been defined by his prowess on hard courts. However, his recent performances at Wimbledon reflect his hard work to evolve his game. This win against Sinner is his first top-10 victory on grass since his breakout triumph over Stan Wawrinka seven years ago at Wimbledon. “It’s my first time winning two matches on Centre Court at Wimbledon,” Medvedev remarked with a smile. “Usually, I’d either win one or zero, so this is a record.”
A Challenging Season
The 2024 tennis season places Medvedev at a crucial juncture in his career. Having established himself as a leading player of his generation, his pursuit of a second grand slam title has proven difficult. With legends like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal no longer dominating every tournament, the field is more open, yet Medvedev faces the risk of being surpassed by the new generation.
The Match Breakdown
The match against Sinner was a showcase of high-level tennis from the start. Both players served efficiently and matched each other stroke for stroke, leading to a tense tie-break in the first set. Despite a grueling 33-stroke rally, Medvedev double-faulted on set point, handing the set to Sinner. However, Medvedev quickly regrouped, breaking Sinner’s serve early in the second set and leveling the match.
As the third set progressed, Sinner showed signs of physical distress, calling for the trainer to check his temperature. Despite Sinner’s struggles, Medvedev maintained pressure and secured the third set in a tie-break. “It’s always tricky because you want to play more points to make him suffer a little bit more – in a good way,” Medvedev explained about facing an ailing opponent. “At the same time, you know that he at one point is gonna say: ‘OK, I cannot run anymore, so I’m gonna go full power.’”
Keeping Composure
Sinner’s resurgence in the fourth set, where he dominated Medvedev’s service games to win easily, tested Medvedev’s composure. However, the Russian struck early in the fifth set, securing an early break and holding firm on his service games. Despite struggling with 11 double faults and periods of inconsistent serving, Medvedev remained solid when it mattered most, clinching the decisive set and the match.
Looking Forward
Medvedev’s victory against Sinner propels him into the Wimbledon semi-finals, offering a chance to further his pursuit of another grand slam title. His journey reflects a blend of resilience, adaptability, and strategic acumen, marking him as a formidable contender in the current tennis landscape.
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