Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev edged out the ailing world number one Jannik Sinner in a grinding five-set battle to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the second successive year on Tuesday.
The match, full of momentum shifts and intense rallies, was absorbing rather than thrilling, but Medvedev remained focused as he triumphed with scores of 6(7)-7(9), 6-4, 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3 under the Centre Court roof. 🎾💪
This victory snapped Medvedev's five-match losing streak against Sinner and avenged his defeat in this year's Australian Open final. Now, he's set to face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in his ninth Grand Slam semifinal, aiming to turn the tables from last year's heavy defeat. 🏆
\"I knew if I wanted to beat Jannik it needs to be a tough match. He's not any more a guy you can beat easy,\" Medvedev said on court. \"It's actually very tough. One moment I could feel that he doesn't move that well so it's always tricky because you want to play more points to make him suffer a bit more. In a good way. But you know at one point he was like 'OK I can't run anymore and I'll go full power' and that's what he did.”
Sinner, who won the opening set in a tight tiebreak, required medical attention after dropping serve during the third set and had to leave the court. \"Already this morning I didn't feel great. Had some problems. Then with the fatigue, it was tough,\" he said. \"But take nothing away from Daniil. I think he played very smart. He played good tennis.\"
Despite looking the favorite at one point, Sinner couldn't convert set points in the final game, leading Medvedev to seal the match with an ace. The showdown lasted exactly four hours, marking the 36th men's singles match at this Wimbledon to go the distance – a new Grand Slam record. ⏳
Looking ahead, Medvedev expressed his strategy to overcome last year's straight-sets defeat by focusing on improving his serve. \"Just play better. I have to serve better. That's still the most important thing on grass. You serve aces, you serve on the line, you're less in trouble, and you feel better.\"
