Jannik Sinner unnerves Medvedev, moves to final of ATP Finals

Jannik Sinner has a chance to do what no other player can do at the ATP Finals. He is the only unbeaten left and if he can win the final on Sunday, he will earn a crisp $4,801,500. That would buy a lot of Christmas presents.

On Saturday, behind what for all intents and purposes is a home crowd, Jannik Sinner won the first set with ease, got simply outplayed in the second set, and then got a break against Daniil Medvedev to move to a 2-0 lead. All Sinner had to do the rest of the way was hold serve.

During the third game of the third set, Sinner held serve but Medvedev became quite unhinged. He threw his racket after one point and when he went to get the racket, he had words with the crowd and motioned for someone in the stands to come down to the court to have a good talk with the Russian. Thankfully, no further happened, though Medvedev did get a Code of Conduct warning.

Jannik Sinner defeats Daniil Medvedev in semis of ATP Finals

Sinner won the way he has every match this week. He played best in the big moments, moved exceptionally well on the court, hit with an immense amount of pace, and didn’t miss his serve when he could not afford to – Medvedev never broke Sinner. Clearly, the young Italian has found his game and should be a Grand Slam threat for many years to come. His defense should make sure that happens.

What remains to be known, however, is who Jannik Sinner will play in the final: Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic? Sinner has already defeated Djokovic at the ATP Finals which he did on Tuesday in three sets. While that was Sinner’s first career victory against the Serb that it happened so recently should give Sinner a lot of confidence if that is the matchup.

Sinner leads the head-to-head against Carlos Alcaraz 4-3 so there will be no confidence issues for Jannik Sinner in the matchup. Plus, Sinner will have the Turin crowd firmly behind him.

Sinner defeated Medvedev 6-3 6-7(4) 6-1. Neither player played poorly, though, and that is a testament to how well Jannik Sinner is playing. Medvedev had 28 winners to 38 unforced errors while Sinner finished with 28 and 31. If Sinner plays as well on Sunday as he has all week, he might earn that huge paycheck by being the ATP Finals undefeated champion.