Jannik Sinner’s stunning breakthrough could threaten Carlos Alcaraz’s status
Jannik Sinner got the better of Daniil Medvedev for the second time this month to win the Erste Bank Open, as he cemented his status as a player to watch in the final weeks of the ATP Tour season.
Sinner, who defeated Medvedev in the final of the China Open in Beijing at the start of October, ensured history would repeat itself in Vienna with a hard-fought 7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 6-3 victory in three hours and five minutes.
The Italian saved two set points in the first before taking it on a tie-break and, after Medvedev had hit back to force a decider, Sinner gained the crucial break of serve in the fourth game, converting his ninth break point.
“It took a lot of mental and physical stuff,” said Sinner. “I think we both served very well the first set.
“I managed somehow to get back on serve when he was a break up, because I felt like he was serving really good. I found a way in the first set.
“Second set, I felt like he was trying to get into the rally a little bit more and I was hustling a little bit. In the third set I tried to step up a little bit. I had a lot of break points, I couldn’t use them and then at the end I used them so I’m very happy.
“Obviously to finish the match, it was really a mental thing, but I’m very happy about how I managed today and very happy for another title.”
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This latest win for Sinner confirmed he is a player who is emerging as the biggest threat to Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at the top of the ATP rankings.
As the Italian holds a winning lead over Alcaraz in their head-to-head meetings, there could be an argument to suggest Sinner could second favourite behind Djokovic heading into the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals.
Alcaraz was well beaten by Sinner in the China Open earlier this month, but insisted he knows how to turn around his losing record against his rival.
“He is a very complete player, he did almost everything well, he pushes you to the limit with every shot,” Alcaraz said.
“You have to hit every ball perfectly if you want to stay alive at the point. Even if you think you hit the ball very well, very well, he can even return it harder than yours. This is something he does really well, very well. The rest of it is also amazing and the service from it is very good.
“It’s really difficult to play against him, I think his mobility is also very good, you have to find a way to beat him or be dangerous for his tennis. It is complicated, that is why he is one of the best in the world.
“I know what I did wrong when I lost to him last time and I have to make sure I play differently next time.
“I feel something different about the crowd when I play against Jannik. I think around the world there’s probably all the people watching this match because I think it’s really beautiful to watch.”
Sinner is in Novak Djokovic’s half of the draw for the Paris Masters, so he could prove to be a challenging rival for Serbian before a possible final against Alcaraz in the French capital.
