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Before the 2019 Wimbledon tournament began, 256 male and female players competed in the qualifying tournament held in Roehampton. During the first round, 17-year-old Jannik Sinner made his debut in a grand slam qualifier, playing late into the evening on the lawn.
The experience was unforgettable for both the fans and players who were gathered on the narrow sidelines of the court. Sinner skillfully played for over two and a half hours, hitting powerful shots that had the audience gasping in awe. However, his opponent Alex Bolt, who is not as well-known, also stepped up to the challenge and put on an impressive display. The match was truly incredible, with Bolt barely managing to hang on and win in a nail-biting third set with a score of 12-10.
There has always been certainty about Sinner’s ability to make impressive shots, but as he faces Daniil Medvedev in his first grand slam final on Sunday night, his progress since that loss is a result of his constant development, brave choices, and dedication.
At the age of 22, Sinner has transformed from a skilled shotmaker to a well-rounded player. His agility and defensive abilities have played a crucial role in his achievements. He has also dedicated himself to adding more diversity to his gameplay and mastering the art of closing out matches. Although his exceptional return of serve has been a strong suit, developing his serve as a formidable weapon has required considerable determination from the Italian.
His journey from a gifted young player to a top competitor is a testament to his wise choices. In the beginning of 2022, even though he had just entered the top 10 rankings, Sinner realized he needed a change. He parted ways with Riccardo Piatti, a well-known figure in the sport, and let go of most of his support team. He has since taken on more responsibility by hiring Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill as his co-coaches.
Although Sinner made significant progress last year, he still wasn’t prepared to face Novak Djokovic in his first grand slam semi-final at Wimbledon. At the US Open, he was defeated in the fourth round by Alexander Zverev. However, Sinner learned from these losses and continued to make strides in his career.
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The outstanding displays by Sinner in the previous fortnight are a result of his natural ability, progress, and the knowledge he has gained. He has continuously maintained his strong performance. After advancing to the semi-finals without losing a set, he dominated Djokovic in their match on Friday. It is undeniable that he has performed at his peak, but on Sunday he will face a new challenge, with all the pressure and anxiety that accompanies it.
At the start of the competition, Medvedev expressed his desire to display more maturity during matches, reducing unnecessary confrontations with umpires and disruptive spectators. His journey to the final is proof of his shift in mindset and ability to maintain a positive and determined attitude despite numerous challenges and distractions.
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Medvedev has played in three matches that have gone to five sets, with two of them requiring him to come back from a two-set deficit against Emil Ruusuvuori and Zverev. His match against Ruusuvuori ended at 3:40am. His victories in the first round against Terence Atmane and in the fourth round against Nuno Borges were both played in extremely hot conditions. The 27-year-old has spent a total of 20 hours and 33 minutes on the court, which is nearly six hours more than Sinner.
On Sunday, Medvedev will compete in his sixth grand slam final and third in Melbourne, in stark contrast to the inexperienced Italian. His record of 1-4 can largely be attributed to facing formidable opponents such as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. However, this experience has prepared Medvedev for the pressure and intensity of a major final. After facing numerous challenges in this tournament, will he have the stamina to handle Sinner’s exceptional performance?
Source: theguardian.com
