S Poddar
In a dramatic match at Wimbledon, Daniil Medvedev emerged victorious over world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a thrilling five-set quarterfinal. Medvedev, the fifth seed, clinched the win with scores of 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3. The match, which lasted four hours, saw Sinner calling for a trainer in the third set due to health issues.
After a heartbreaking defeat in the Australian Open final, Medvedev faced a challenging season. Despite not winning a title for 14 months, the 28-year-old Russian showcased his resilience and adaptability on grass courts, securing one of his career’s most significant victories.
“I knew beating Jannik would be tough,” Medvedev commented. “Even when he seemed unwell, he played at a high level. I’m glad I managed to stay strong.”
Medvedev, historically a hard-court specialist, has made significant strides on grass, evident in his performance over the last two years at Wimbledon. This victory marks his first top-10 win on grass since his breakthrough at Wimbledon seven years ago when he defeated Stan Wawrinka.
Reflecting on his achievement, Medvedev said, “Winning two matches on Centre Court at Wimbledon is a new record for me.”
The 2024 season has placed Medvedev in a pivotal position in his career. Despite the open field with Djokovic and Nadal no longer dominating, he faces pressure from the new generation of players as he seeks his second grand slam title.
The match was intense from the start, with both players serving efficiently and the first set decided by a tie-break. Despite Medvedev’s double fault on set point, he quickly rebounded, breaking Sinner’s serve early in the second set and leveling the match.
Sinner’s struggles became apparent in the third set, requiring medical attention. Medvedev capitalized, maintaining his lead and pressuring Sinner. Though Sinner rallied to force set points, Medvedev’s brilliant serving in the tie-break clinched the third set.
“It’s tricky playing against someone who’s unwell,” Medvedev noted. “You want to make them work, but they might go all out. Sinner had set points in the third set, but it ended well for me.”
Sinner fought back to win the fourth set, but Medvedev stayed composed, securing an early break in the fifth set and holding his serve to clinch the match. Despite 11 double faults, Medvedev delivered when it mattered most.
This victory sends Medvedev to the Wimbledon semi-finals for the second year in a row, highlighting his growth and determination.
