By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday October 4, 2023
Jannik Sinner notched his first win over Daniil Medvedev - and claimed his ninth career title - at Beijing.
Photo Source: TTV
The seventh time proved to be a charm for Italy’s Jannik Sinner on Wednesday in Beijing as the 22-year-old Italian earned his first win over Russia’s Daniil Medvedev to claim the title, 7-6(2), 7-6(2).
“Thanks for making me a much better player,” Sinner, who entered the final with an 0-6 record against the Russian, said to Medvedev after his triumph. “We have been practicing a lot, trying to beat you.”
Sinner was a picture of grit and determination all week, as he started his journey with a three-set win over Daniel Evans, and also battled paswt Grigor Dimitrov in three sets in the quarterfinals, as he battled illness before hitting his stride in the last two rounds.
The Italian becomes the third ATP player to claim a title in 2023 by defeating the No.1 and No.2 seeds.
This Beijing draw was one of the most stacked 500-level draws in history, and it was the talented Italian who was the last man standing as he improved to 9-3 in ATP finals and claimed his third title of 2023.
Sinner, who defeated two-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in semifinal action on Tuesday, will rise to a career-high ranking of No.4 in the world on Monday, to become the highest-ranked Italian man in 47 years.
Playing the final on his Beijing debut Sinner won 82 percent of his first-serve points and 71 percent of his second-serve points as he saved the only break point he faced against the top seed. Medvedev held up his end of the bargain as well, saving all five break points he faced, but he could not match Sinner’s stellar form in the tiebreaks.
“Congratulations to Jannik and his team,” Medvedev, who had defeated Sinner in their previous two finals in 2023, said. “Third time lucky, as we say, third final this year between us. You managed to win it, great match. You're an amazing player and you're having an amazing season. Hopefully we can have many more finals in big tournaments like this and [I will] try to fight you to fight for more.”
Sinner entered the final having lost nine of 12 sets to Medvedev, but he was determined to not let his epic victory over Alcaraz on Tuesday go to waste. He hit 28 winners against 24 unforced errors, and was flawless in both tiebreaks to net his 49th victory of 2023 against 13 losses.