Jannik Sinner is in the semi-finals in Saudi Arabia. © ANSA / STR
A top-class show tournament is taking place in Saudi Arabia from Wednesday to Saturday. Jannik Sinner played his way into the semi-finals without any problems by defeating Daniil Medvedev.
16 October 2024
Von: you
The organizers made it clear long before the tournament that the event in Saudi Arabia was a special kind. In an extremely elaborate trailer in the best blockbuster style, Riyadh announced a superlative show tournament. Six of the best and most famous tennis players in the world were invited: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune and the current world number 1, Jannik Sinner. The South Tyrolean provided great entertainment in the opening game on Wednesday evening in the quarter-finals against the Russian Medvedev with his style of play alone. He defeated the world number 5 6:0 and 6:3.
However, the first question is how a tennis tournament outside the ATP and without points is able to win over such big names at the end of a tough season. The answer is simple: the winner receives $7.5 million, more than double a Grand Slam win. The players and fans were also promised great entertainment, which the organizers backed up with an extravagant show before the game. The ingredients for an absolute tennis festival were there.
Medvedev has no chance
But now to the sport: Sinner and Medvedev have already met 14 times on the ATP tour and both have won seven games. Despite this seemingly balanced balance sheet, at times it seemed as if the Russian had only traveled to Saudi Arabia to secure the $1.5 million starting bonus, as he offered the South Tyrolean little resistance. Completely overwhelmed, he had to accept the disgrace of a 0:6 defeat in the first set. The game was characterized by a Sinner who played as if it were a Grand Slam final.
The South Tyrolean dominated the match from the start, rushed across the pitch, fought for every ball and took Medvedev’s breath away from the start. He secured breakball after breakball with a confident ease that made Medvedev look very bad. The result: The Russian’s racket landed on the ground more often, and the exhibition match was over after 1.08 hours. While Medvedev already had to pack his bags, the South Tyrolean moved into the semi-finals, where Novak Djokovic is waiting for him on Thursday.
Alcaraz or Rune?
Following this game, the second quarter-final between Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz will take place. The two youngsters are fighting for the chance to face Rafael Nadal, who recently announced his retirement, in the semi-finals.
