Sinner beats Medvedev and wins Beijing

That time, at the 2021 Finals, Medvedev had given him a 6-0 and then, during the changeover, he yawned in his face. As if to say: how boring this kid is. Jannik Sinner has pinned that image in his brain under the heading: scores to settle. It took him a while, a couple of years, but finally he did it. Jannik Sinner also dispelled this taboo, for the first time he beat his bête noire, Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (2) 7-6 and he did it in a final, the first in Beijing since after Covid. An ATP 500, the ninth career title that is worth a thousand, or perhaps more given the initial draw with all the top players in the world lined up except Novak Djokovic, busy playing golf and following the Ryder Cup. A 500 that is worth more because finally, after years of criticism, he arrives after beating two stronger than him, the world number 2 Alcaraz and the number 3 Medvedev in the final. All this in the week in which he reached number 4 in the world Adriano Panatta, breaking a tradition that had lasted since 1976. But what is most impressive is how Sinner managed to conquer this final, imposing the serve and volley treatment on Medvedev, often called to running forward, the one who loves to stay down there at the end of the pitch and go back and forth. The same thing that Novak Djokovic did in the final of the US Open to beat the Russian who plays without the flag.

THE MATCH

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The first set is a continuous tug-of-war, with Medvedev making practically nothing mistakes on serve and only allowing two break points at 4-4. The first to have to defend himself was Jannik, in the 5th game: two errors to end up 0-30 down. He halves the deficit and with an attack on the net takes the lead 30-3rd. As soon as the exchange gets longer, the error arrives, and we go to the advantages. Backhand into the net and break point for Medvedev, the first of the final. Sinner saves himself and then with the ace (the n. 24 of the tournament) he gains the ball to make it 3-2. It’s not over yet, his forehand comes out just a little and it’s back to parity. He still serves and volleys and finally closes. The set continues in balance until the tie break where Medvedev ends up down by a minibreak, Jannik accelerates and breaks him to 5-1 before closing 7-2 and winning the first set. We return to the field in the second set and Sinner doesn’t give up. He responds, attacks, presses and earns two break points. Medvedev shortens, 30-40 with a lightning-fast passer, then with the serve he takes the lead again. Third double fault of the match for the Russian and another break point for Jannik, who fails to contain the Russian’s second serve at 195. Medvedev is saved and remains ahead 2-1. We continue in balance, Jannik serves to stay in the set and does so with extreme precision. Medvedev tries to enter the field a little more but Sinner goes 40-0 and even nails a smash after missing four. Medvedev starts talking to his corner, but no one listens to him. Jannik seals the 5-5 by keeping the serve scoreless and immediately after he becomes dangerous by going 30-15 on his rival’s serve. Two forehand errors put the Russian back on track at 6-5. The Italian still has to serve to stay in the set and doesn’t make a mistake, winning the tie break. Once again he goes ahead by a minibreak and extends to 3-0. Then it closes again 7-2. King of Beijing.