That was the message sent to the rest of the draw by the freakishly outlandish but effective world number five, who ripped up the formbook on quarter-finals day at Wimbledon. Sure, Jannik Sinner was under the weather, far from oneself, but the level throughout remained high and it was Medvedev who held his nerve.
For two intoxicating sets of full-throttle baseline tennis, there was little to choose between these two. But then it was the Italian– six years younger at 22 – whose health deteriorated on tennis’ biggest stage. The world No 1 left the court for 10 minutes but this was no injury. As a doctor checked his pulse and blood pressure, Sinner looked a man absolutely spent, his face white and movement unusually dawdle.
But he returned, a second wave came and as the adrenaline kicked in, the momentum swung back and forth. Sinner, commendably, stretched it to five sets. But after a sludging contest of exactly four hours, it was Medvedev who emerged victorious, sealing a berth in the Wimbledon semi-finals – with a 6-7(7), 6-4, 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3 win – for the second straight year where, again, he will meet Carlos Alcaraz.
“I felt at one moment he wasn’t feeling good but I knew it could get away,” Medvedev said on-court.
“It was actually very tough. One moment I can feel he doesn’t move that well but it’s tricky, you want to play more points to make him suffer but then he goes full power. In a way I’d rather not have this situation. But everything is well when it ends well.”
Medvedev led the head-to-head 6-5 coming into this one but, astonishingly, Sinner had won their past five meetings – including January’s terrific Australian Open final, when Sinner claimed his first Grand Slam with a thrilling win from two sets to love down. In that match, the Italian looked broken, mouthing “Sono morto” (I’m dead) to his box, before somehow launching a stirring fightback. At SW19, he looked altogether more weary.
この記事は The Independent の July 10, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Independent の July 10, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Draper hit by sickness in semi-final defeat to Sinner
Jack Draper was sick on court four times as his US Open dream ended in semi-final heartbreak following a straight-sets defeat to Jannik Sinner. The British number one was enjoying an incredible run in New York and had big hopes of emulating Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu by winning the title.
San Marino's competitive.cherry popped by a toe poke
It goes some way to illustrating the pain and patience that fans of San Marino have had to endure that their winning goalscorer on Thursday night wasn’t even born the last time the landlocked nation tasted international success.
Carsley's gamble leads to an audition with a difference
One of the game's brightest coaches has the chance to show he's more than a 'safe pair of hands', writes Miguel Delaney
Warring neighbours have became eternally entwined
England meet the Republic of Ireland today, reigniting a rivalry that has shades of grey between the white and green
Boeing Starliner heads back to Earth without its crew
Boeing's troubled Starliner space craft undocked from the International Space Station yesterday - without its crew - and began a high-risk return to Earth. The Starliner undocked shortly after 2300 GMT and is scheduled to touch down six hours later in White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico.
Rape and death threats for Afghan taekwondo star
Online abuse of Marzieh Hamidi for criticising the Taliban hit new levels after she denounced her country's cricket team
Super Typhoon Yagi makes landfall in 'China's Hawaii'
Super Typhoon Yagi landed in China’s Hainan yesterday, bringing violent gales and heavy rain that triggered widespread power outages, paralysing the tourist island province known as “China’s Hawaii”.
'I did it': suspect admits to Georgia school shooting
The suspect accused of killing four people in a mass school shooting in the US, allegedly told investigators \"I did it\" while being questioned. Colt Gray, 14, who has been charged with four felony counts of murder, made the admission while being read his Miranda rights, Barrow County sheriff, Jud Smith, told CNN.
Inside a city under fire as Russia advances in Donetsk
Residents of Kostyantynivka, perilously close to the front line, tell of the relentless shelling they are facing as Putin's merciless forces tighten their grip on the Ukrainian region
England head coach will not sing national anthem today
England manager and former Ireland player Lee Carsley says won't sing either anthem for today's match in Dublin, because that's always been his stance throughout his career.