Jannik Sinner will face Casper Ruud in the men’s final of the Italian Open after overcoming Daniil Medvedev in a dramatic semi-final interrupted by rain in Rome.
The world number one sealed a hard-fought 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory in a gripping contest that stretched across two days after play was suspended overnight due to bad weather.
Sinner, chasing a record-extending sixth Masters 1000 title, endured one of his toughest matches of the tournament as Medvedev pushed him to the limit during Friday night’s opening stages. The Italian required treatment on his right thigh and even vomited during the match before play was halted.
However, Sinner appeared refreshed and relaxed ahead of Saturday’s restart, joking and playing football with his coaching staff during warm-ups beneath the centre court as sunshine finally returned following days of unstable weather in Rome.
“It was a different challenge, a tough challenge to be honest,” Sinner said after the win.
“During the night usually I never struggle to sleep, but this night was not easy because when you’re in the third set, you know you’re nearly done but still have to show up again. You never know what’s going to happen because it’s basically a new start of the match. There are nerves.”
The match, originally scheduled to resume at 3:00 pm local time, suffered another delay due to further rain and the men’s doubles semi-final involving Italian pair Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.
When play eventually resumed, Sinner’s 4-2 advantage in the deciding set proved decisive. Medvedev briefly threatened a comeback after taking the seventh game, but Sinner responded immediately by holding serve to love before wrapping up victory in under 20 minutes.
The triumph extended Sinner’s remarkable winning streak in Masters 1000 tournaments to 33 consecutive matches.
Ruud, meanwhile, booked his place in the final with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Luciano Darderi in another rain-disrupted encounter.
The Norwegian now has an opportunity to avenge previous heavy defeats to Sinner, having failed to win a set in all four of their previous meetings. Their most recent clash at the Foro Italico ended in a crushing 6-0, 6-1 victory for Sinner in last year’s quarter-finals.
“I think he’s playing much, much better tennis right now, so it’s going to be very tough,” Sinner said of Ruud.
“Every match every week, even if you play the same player, is completely different. I’m just happy to stand here again in the final.”
Later on Saturday, Coco Gauff will attempt to win her first Rome title when she faces Elina Svitolina in the women’s final.
The American lost last year’s final to Jasmine Paolini and will be aiming to go one step further as she prepares to defend her Roland Garros crown.
AFP
