In a demanding five-set Australian Open final on Sunday, Jannik Sinner overcame Daniil Medvedev after trailing two sets to one, capturing his maiden Grand Slam victory.
After being badly outplayed in the opening two sets, the fourth-seeded Italian player rallied to win 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, and 6-3 in three hours and forty-four minutes. The outcome is a severe blow for the third-seeded Russian, who has now lost two Australian Open finals after leading two sets, the first coming against Rafael Nadal in 2022.
Sinner ensured his name goes on the trophy - fulfilling the talent that many had predicted would lead to a Grand Slam triumph - after an epic match lasting almost four hours.
"It feels great. I just have to process it, I guess, how it feels the first time," Sinner told Australia's Channel Nine.
"It has been a hell of a journey even if I'm still only 22."
Medvedev, ranked third, has lost five of his six major finals, including matches at Melbourne Park against Djokovic in 2021 and Nadal in 2022.
"It hurts to lose in the final but probably being in the final is better than losing before," said Medvedev, who set a record for the most time spent on court at a Grand Slam tournament with 24 hours and 17 minutes.
"I always want to win and I guess I have to try harder next time."