Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner have had a contentious history, with each player holding a psychological edge over the other at different times. Prior to September 2023, Medvedev had won all six of their encounters, but Sinner subsequently triumphed in the next five, including a dramatic 2024 Australian Open final where the Russian squandered a two-set lead. On Tuesday, a similar script unfolded at Wimbledon, with Sinner nearly replicating his Australian Open success before Medvedev regained his composure to win a grueling five-set encounter, 6-7(7), 6-4, 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3, securing his second consecutive Wimbledon semifinal appearance.
“If you have to beat Jannik, it has to be a tough match,” Medvedev acknowledged after the match. “He is not anymore a guy who can be beaten easily. I played at a high level, great points, and I am happy.” The opening set played out as anticipated, with both players relying heavily on their powerful serves to dictate points. Early on, Sinner held a slight advantage, winning 23 of 25 points on his first serve and consistently returning effectively. The Italian also delivered breathtaking shots, his whipped forehand and half-knelt backhand drawing gasps and cheers from the crowd. However, Medvedev remained within striking distance with his deceptively efficient shot-making. The Russian was solid from the baseline and particularly effective when he moved forward, winning seven out of eight net points.
The set inevitably progressed to a tie-break, and it was Sinner who faltered first, serving a double fault at 5-5. However, a hasty forehand error by Medvedev gave Sinner a second opportunity. Sinner then capitalised on a brilliant backhand down the line, forcing Medvedev into a double fault to concede the set. Having claimed the first set, Sinner briefly relaxed, allowing Medvedev to capitalize. The Russian broke Sinner in the third game of the second set and went on to take the set 6-4. He then broke Sinner again in the third game of the third set. Both of Sinner’s service breaks were attributed to his faltering forehand, a stroke that had also let him down in his fourth-round victory over Ben Shelton. Compounding Sinner’s difficulties, he appeared physically compromised, taking a timeout immediately after Medvedev went ahead 2-1 in the third set. Despite this, Sinner returned to the court with renewed energy, breaking back in the 10th game and holding to 6-5. He earned two set points on Medvedev’s serve, but an ace from the Russian and a backhand unforced error from Sinner thwarted his efforts. Another tie-break ensued, and just when it seemed Sinner had turned the tide, his forehand faltered again, costing him four of the seven tie-break points from that wing. This was also the first of his last 10 tie-breaks that he had lost, dating back to his title win in Halle.
If Medvedev believed Sinner would wither under the pressure, he was mistaken. The World No. 1 came roaring back, securing two service breaks and taking a commanding 5-1 lead to level the match at two sets apiece. The deciding set, mirroring the rest of the match, swung on a dime as Medvedev elevated his game, taking a 2-1 lead. Two winners, one each from his forehand and backhand sides, pushed Sinner into a corner, and he crumbled under the pressure, serving a double fault. A forehand error by Sinner gave Medvedev the break, placing him a step away from the semifinals. And soon, he secured his victory.
