Jannik Sinner rallied from two sets down to defeat Daniil Medvedev in a grueling five-set Australian Open final on Sunday, claiming his maiden Grand Slam.
The Italian fourth seed was thrown off course in the first two sets, but rallied to win 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in three hours and 44 minutes.
The outcome is a cruel blow for the Russian third seed, who has now lost a second Australian Open final after leading by two sets, repeating his loss to Rafael Nadal in 2022.
Medvedev entered the match with a 6-3 record against the 22-year-old, but has lost his previous three encounters.
Before the final, the Russian had played three grueling five-set matches at Melbourne Park and spent over six hours more time on the court than Sinner.
But, looking fresh, he was quickly into his stride, which disturbed the normally placid Sinner, who was struggling to find any rhythm.
The Italian, who was playing in his maiden Grand Slam final, had only been broken twice in the tournament prior to Sunday’s title match, but Medvedev quadrupled that total in the opening set.
Sinner, the world number four, was in trouble again at the start of the second set, fending off multiple break points against a hungry Medvedev and asking for support from the audience at Rod Laver Arena.
He resisted the onslaught, but was broken for the third time in the match in the fourth game, when a weak drop shot allowed the Russian to set up the winner.
Medvedev rushed through his service game to love, giving Sinner no time to collect his thoughts.
He blasted a strong forehand to set up two more break points in the sixth game, and Sinner missed a forehand to fall behind 5-1.
The Italian broke back quickly and had another break point in the ninth game to put the set back on serve, but Medvedev ended the mini-revival.
The third set was more competitive, with serve dominating until the decisive tenth game.
Sinner missed a forehand passing shot wide at the end of a 31-shot rally, costing him two set chances, but he had another chance and took it to seal the set.
Sinner now had the momentum, and Medvedev, who needed strapping for his foot, had to work hard to hold early in the fourth set.
Sinner blasted three aces to lead 4-3 and broke in the tenth game when Medvedev shot long, forcing the match into a fifth set.
As the tension grew, both players remained on serve until the sixth game, when Medvedev hit a backhand into the net, giving Sinner three break points.
A forehand crosscourt winner gave the Italian the critical advantage, and he went on to earn his first championship point.