ATP Finals: Medvedev holds Zverev and Sinner’s spectacular start

ATP Finals 2021: Daniil Medvedev qualifies for the semifinals

ATP Finals 2021, Turin: The defending champion Daniil Medvedev edged out Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-6(6) to qualify for the semifinals from the Red Group.

After making a winning start against Hubert Hurkacz in the opener, The Russian extends his charisma to top the German with his consistency. It took two hours and 35 minutes to finally get a result of this entertaining match. He now leads with 56 wins this season.

Medvedev: “Definitely one of the matches to remember,” Medvedev said. “When you win 8/6 in the tie-break in the third, it was 4/2 for him so I was like okay, he serves a few aces it’s done. I made it 6/4 and I was like okay, that’s my moment now. It’s back to 6/6, you get really tight, because I wanted to make a brave move on the 6/5 second serve and volley, didn’t work out at all.

“He made an amazing shot. You are like maybe I should have stayed at the baseline. If I lose the match because of this it’s going to be tough… Just an amazing feeling. Not actually much to say about the match, just amazing.”

“Sometimes that’s how tennis is,” Medvedev added. “You just try to do your best. Sometimes luck is on your side, sometimes not. Sometimes it’s more than just luck. I just try to do my best and I’m really happy the past seven matches went in my favor.”

The Russian held three break points and he himself broke the German to lead 3-0 in the opening set. His moment on the court was tactically brilliant to counter Zverev. The set took 37 minutes to wrap in Medvedev’s favor.

The second set moved into the tiebreaker after the German saved three breakpoints in the set. Daniil’s was blurry in his second serve which Zverev took advantage of and claimed the second set. The crowd was loving what they were seeing.

The third set was also a similar war with both players blazing out the heat. The decider also moved to a tiebreaker. Medvedev found a deep return on his backhand to move 6/4 ahead, but Zverev stepped up to save both match points. However, it only delayed the outcome, with Medvedev sealing victory on his third match point when Zverev hit a backhand into the net.

The German has a chance to replicate his 2018 ATP Finals title run if he beats Hurkacz in his final round-robin match-up.

ATP Finals 2021: Jannik Sinner.
Jannik Sinner.

Jannik Sinner marks a perfect Italian replacement in ATP Finals.

After an unfortunate withdrawal from Matteo Berrettini due to an abdominal injury, Jannik Sinner was given a chance to replace his countryman. He did not disappoint and gave it all in his debut against Hubert Hurkacz for a 6-2, 6-2 victory.

World No. 11 was faced with five breakpoints and saved all of them. He was early in breaking the Pole in both sets to mount pressure. It took an hour and 22 minutes for the Italian to clinch his first ATP Finals victory.

Sinner: “Matteo, you are an idol.”

“Matteo has been unlucky many, many times in his career and I wish him all the best,” Sinner said. “I am going to play for him at this tournament because he deserves to be here. I will give my best and it is a highlight playing here.”

As a result, Sinner is firmly in semi-final contention in Turin. He could reach the semi-final if he defeats World No. 2, Daniil Medvedev, in their next match, or if Alexander Zverev loses to Hurkacz on Thursday. With two defeats, Hurkacz currently sits at the bottom of the Red Group, while Medvedev has already booked his place in the last four. 

The Italian got the crowd involved early as he broke Hurkacz’s serve to go 2-1 ahead, and then fought off three break points to see through a 12-minute service game.

Sinner made it a five-game run from 0-1 before Hurkacz found his footing at 5-2. But the second set unfolded much like the first, and Sinner quickly halted the Pole’s nascent comeback efforts with another break at 2-1. The 20-year-old didn’t look back, as he roared to his first victory at the ATP season finale. 

ATP Finals 2021, Day 3 highlights.

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