ATP Finals roundup: Sinner into semi-finals
Home favourite Jannik Sinner advanced to the ATP Finals last four with a 100% record and eliminated Daniil Medvedev as he defeated the Russian in straight sets in Turin.
Sinner triumphed 6-3 6-4 over Medvedev in an hour and 13 minutes to add to his victories over Alex de Minaur and Taylor Fritz and take top spot in the Ilie Nastase Group.
The top seed, winner of both the Australian and US Opens this year, told atptour.com: “I’m trying to find new ways to improve as a player. I’m trying to win as many matches here as I can.
“Me and Daniil, we know each other very well. So, every time we step on court, we try to change something tactically. I felt like I was ready to see what he was going to do today.
“I know what I have achieved during this year, so I try to step on court with a good mindset. I have beautiful people around me who support me daily, which for me is really important. I try to enjoy my time on the court.
“The atmosphere here is amazing, so I’m just trying to play some good tennis this week. Let’s see what’s coming in the next round.”
Sinner will face the runner-up from the John Newcombe Group, a spot currently occupied by Casper Ruud. The Norwegian faces Andrey Rublev in the concluding match of that group on Friday while Alexander Zverev plays Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner is joined in the semi-finals by Fritz, who overcame De Minaur 5-7 6-4 6-3 in a match lasting two hours and eight minutes.
And with Sinner safely through to the semi-finals, to the delight of the home crowd, that’s it from me today. Thanks for your company. Good night!
Updated
As the lights go off in Turin, let’s look to tomorrow, the final day of the round-robin.
Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz walk on court at 1pm GMT; Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev at 7.30pm GMT, to decide who will join Sinner and Fritz in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Similarly, the doubles pairings must fight it out to join Heliovaara /Patten and M. Purcell /Thompson in the knock out stages. Rohan Bopanna/Matthew Ebden and Kevin Krawietz/Tim Puetz are first on court at 10.30am GMT; Marcelo Arevalo/ Mate Pavic and Simone Bolelli/Andrea Vavassori sandwiched between the doubles matches at 5pm GMT.
Updated
Henman has now tracked Sinner down.
“We know each other very well. I was serving better than the previous two matches. I switched up with the serve and volley and it didn’t work that well but otherwise it was a high-quality match.
“ I have no preference who I play in the semi-final, whoever is going to play on the other side of the net, I will play my best tennis. I will watch tomorrow, I am also a tennis fan.”
“A solid performance from Sinner” says Laura Robson, “without being his best performance of the week.” In the crowd lots of people are still in their seats holding fluffy carrots and hoping for an autograph.
In a bit of filler, Tim Henman is now being interviewed about the mixed zone, while standing in the mixed zone. Luckily everyone decides this is a bad idea and we quickly return court side to Salmon and Robson who think that some elements of Medvedev’s game have slipped over the last few months.
Key event
Jannik Sinner is talking (if reluctantly)“I am trying to win as many matches as I can, me and Danni know each other very well and each time we try to change tactically.
“I know what I have achieved during this year, I try to step on court with a good mindset and have a good team, try to enjoy it here and off court I am trying to prepare in the best possible way.”
They shake hands affectionately at the net. Medvedev picks up his bag and slinks off, while Sinner whips off his shirt and towels down. The stats tell the story despite some magical moments from Medvedev : 30 unforced errors by Medvedev to ten from Sinner.
Sinner finishes top of the Ilie Nastase group, followed by Fritz, (both qualify) with Medvedev and then De Minaur following behind.
Updated
Sinner beats Medvedev 6-4, 6-3!
Second set: Sinner 6-4, 6-3 Medvedev (*denotes next server)
The crowd are hushed by the umpire. A feisty return off Sinner’s first serve is just out. But an up and at em forehand by Medvedev proves Sinner isn’t going to have this final game all his own way . Sinner follows up a strong first serve to inch ahead, then Medvdev draws even with another early return, a whippy backhand beating a diving Sinner. But it feels inevitable and the match is Sinner’s when Medvedev twice hits long.
Second set: Sinner* 5-4, 6-3 Medvedev (*denotes next server)
Loose from Medvedev, his fifteenth backhand unforced error. But he comes back to win a tit-for-tat rally with a smash, and a second long rally as Sinner nets. Medvedev breathes heavily . Another brilliant rally at deuce, awesome defence from Medvedev but Sinner outsmarts him and goes on to break again. Sinner serving for the match.
Second set: Sinner 4-4, 6-3 Medvedev* (*denotes next server)
A sensational return by Medvedev wins the first point and continues his sudden touch perfect form. But someone turns Sinner back on again and he duly comes back to win the game.
Second set: Sinner* 3-4, 6-3 Medvedev (*denotes next server)
Who doesn’t love a bit of marauding Medvedev? He follows up breaking serve by whistling through an immense service game to love. Some beautiful pictures of Turin at night to make us jealous.
Updated
Second set: Sinner* 3-3, 6-3 Medvedev (*denotes next server)
Medvedev with a brilliant one two, returning serve from nearly in the crowd and then recovering to win the point with a stonking back hand. Goes 15-40 up with a drop shot and two break points. Sinner saves the first but not the second after Medvedev comes up on top in a fierce rally.
Second set: Sinner* 3-2, 6-3 Medvedev (*denotes next server)
Medvedev throws in a massive winning serve. Sinner counters with a short-jab passing shot. Sinner fluffs his lines and Medvedev holds. They have a sit down and a towel up, the lights go down the flashing lights come on and the crowd have a dance.
Second set: Sinner 3-1, 6-3 Medvedev *(*denotes next server)
Hit and hope is how the commentator describes Medvedev’s play, but luckily for him Sinner is having a slightly mouldy service game. They draw even at 30-30, but Medvedev can’t take advantage and Sinner draws further ahead.
Second set: Sinner *2-1, 6-3 Medvedev (*denotes next server)
A mid-air Karate Kid forehand on the line from Medvdev brings huge applause from the crowd, but he follows it up with a limp waft into the net. Then a big serve to even things up before Sinner pounces on a Medvedev drop volley and sends the ball back past his nose. A break already, and the crowd can sense victory.
Second set: Sinner 1-1, 6-3 Medvedev* (*denotes next server)
That first set win also ensures that Sinner finished the round robin in first place. He duly whizzes through his service game, Medvedev quite wayward with his shot-making.
Second set: Sinner* 0-1, 6-3 Medvedev (*denotes next server)
Will Medvedev give up? No he won’t! A couple of big serves, a volley exchange at the net and an easy hold.
Sinner wins the first set 6-3 to knock Medvedev out of the semi-finals
First set: Sinner 6-3 Medvedev*(*denotes next server)
Sinner serving not only to win the set but to knock Medvedev out of the semi-finals and hand the place to Taylor Fritz . An ace hands him three set points and he takes the first with a killer serve at 12 o’clock. Seventeen unforced errors for Medvedev in that first set sealing his fate.
Updated
First set: Sinner* 5-3 Medvedev*(*denotes next server)
Medvedev, hair sticking up like a baby bird, goes 15-30 down again. Then 15-40. His serve is starting to wobble under the pressure and he sends a forehand into the net for his third unforced error and hands Sinner the break.
First set: Sinner 4-3 Medvedev* (*denotes next server)
After the previous hard fought service game, Sinner wins to love. Collecting the final point when Medvedev gets an ungenerous net cord. Sinner has only dropped two points on serve so far.
First set: Sinner* 3-3 Medvedev (*denotes next server)
Medvedev swatting those huge ground strokes from the base line. But for the first time Sinner wins two points against serve, and then three. But from 15-40 down, Medvedev pulls back to deuce, Sinner misdirecting a forehand. A second deuce, Medvedev racing through each point, not waiting for the crowd applause to settle, and pulls the game out of the bag.
First set: Sinner 3-2 Medvedev* (*denotes next server)
Some pin-point placement by Sinner sends Medvedev running from side to side in an attempt to stay in the rally and he eventually hits out. Sinner continues to miss the odd first serve but still wins to 15 . And there is 1980s hearthrob Stefan Edberg in the crowd with his wife. Broke many teenage girls hearts.
First set: Sinner* 2-2 Medvedev (*denotes next server)
Medvedev’s third ace, followed by an awkward approach to the net and a drive volley, Sinner lobs from behind his back but it falls just long. Another easy service win.
First set: Sinner 2-1 Medvedev* (*denotes next server)
Both players on point with their serve this evening, Sinner starting with another banger. He’s in his trademark white baseball cap, navy polo shirt and big white tennis boots at the bottom of those long legs. Medvedev approaches the net and it works to bring him one point, but Sinner still wins to 15.
First set: Sinner* 1-1 Medvedev (*denotes next server)
Medvedev, in geranium-red shirt and trainers, starts with an ace, then wins a big bass-line exchange. Polishes things off with another ace.
First set: Sinner 1-0 Medvedev* (*denotes next server)
An easy win to love in about 30 seconds, as Sinner’s coach nervously bites his nails.
No titles for Medvedev this year for the first time since 2017; Sinner has collected seven, including the US and Australian Open. It feels like it should be a formality for the No.1 seed. We shall find out. Sinner has the ball and prepares to serve.
Medvedev wins the toss and will receive
Here come the players, both in subdued tracksuit tops, hand in hand with a ball boy/girl who carries an enormous tennis ball. Sinner bounces about as the umpire runs through the pleasantries, Medvedev calls correctly and will receive.
Updated
In the head to heads, both Sinner and Medvedev have won matches seven apiece, with Sinner dominating recently (with the exception of Wimbledon).
The commentators agree, they look at Medvedev and don’t know quite how it works, but it does.
"Hang it in the Louvre" - Daniil Medvedev reacts to being hilariously captured in an unusual position while contesting must-win match at ATP Finals https://t.co/6J4KDGETTU
— Tennis Tracker (@TrackerTennis) November 13, 2024
Which Medvedev will turn up today? The chilled exquisite stroke player of the match against Alex de Minaur or the mercurial racket-thrower who played Taylor Fritz? Either way, he will have to cope with the partisan crowd AND win in straight sets to qualify for the semi-finals.
Updated
There’s about half an hour till Sinner v Medvedev – the semi-final decider. Some great detail from Gigi Salmon who reports that Sinner is currently eating ice cream and playing cards, while Medvedev is eating pasta and watching football.
Max Purcell/Jordan Thompson beat Marcel Granollers/Horacio Zeballos 7-6, 6-3
After such an epic opening set, Purcell and Thompson hurry through the second, to become the first Australian duo through to the ATP finals semi-finals since 1999.
Tumaini Carayol is in Malaga, where he spoke to Emma Raducanu about her struggles with fitness.
And there was good news for Britain’s Henry Patten. He and doubles partner Harri Helivaara beat Wesley Koolhof & Nikola Mektic 4-6, 6-3, 12-10 to swing into the semis undefeated.
Mike Bryan Group WINNERS ☝️👊
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 14, 2024
No. 3 seeds Harri Heliovaara & Henry Patten round off group play undefeated!#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/S11ciYeBuI
Key event
There’s currently a dramatic doubles match in play in Turin. After a 20- minute tie break, Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson won the first set against Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 16-14. The win means they are through to the semis (they only needed one set). Granollers and Zeballos are distraught.
Teamwork makes the dream work 🦸♂️@MaxPurcell98 🤜🤛 @jordanthommmo2 #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/EiAPwX6P5t
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 14, 2024
And I should have said that last year’s losing finalist Sinner is already through to the knock-out stages, thanks to de Minaur winning the first set against Fritz.
Earlier today, America’s Taylor Fritz fought back after losing the first set to Australia’s Alex de Minaur, in the longest match of the week. Fritz pocketed the win: 7-5, 6-4, 6-3, and will make the semi-finals on Saturday unless Medvedev beats Sinner in straight sets. Yes, we’ve reached that logarithmic tables time of the tournament.
"Counter punching tennis at its absolute best" 🙌
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) November 14, 2024
Powered down the line by Alex de Minaur 💥 pic.twitter.com/hAyPrwSnND
Preamble
Good evening! It’s day five of the ATP tour finals, the penultimate day of the round robin competition. Our match of the evening is Jannik Sinner against Daniil Medvedev, which is due to spring into squeaky-booted action around 7pm GMT.
Tickets for the finals have been selling like the hottest of hot cakes in Turin, with home boy Sinner, the Orange Fox, the most dazzlingly golden ticket of them all.
Sinner is still floating under a cloud of controversy after he tested positive for small amounts of clostebol in March. The International Tennis Integrity Agency independent panel verdict was that Sinner bore “no fault or negligence”, but WADA appealed the decision with CAS. To his fans though, he is an Italian tennis miracle - expect huge enthusiasm and orange wigs from the stadium.
Updated
