Sinner storms into historic final for Italy

Jannik Sinner put an Italian into a year-end final  for the first time as he defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-1 on Saturday in Turin.

Sinner’s trip into the Sunday title match against either Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic at the business end of the eight-man season wrapup took just under two and a half hours.

The world No. 4 was cheered by most of the 13,000 fans in the Pala Alpitour as he dominated the final set.

Medvedev won the year-ender three years ago but has now lost to the Italian three times this autumn: the Beijing and Vienna finals plus now in Turin.

Medvedev was taken off court by the trainer after levelling the match at a set apiece for treatment on a potential glute muscle injury and came back somewhat flat.

Sinner profited with breaks in the second and sixth games, closing out victory a game later on the first of three match points as his opponent’s return landed long, a 38th unforced error.

“It’s an incredible feeling, this was a really tough match,” Sinner said. “In the first set somehow I made a break and felt better.

He played more aggressive in the second set with a good tiebreak and in the third I tried to stay aggressive and mix up my game.

“I’m really happy to be in the final. I’m feeling good on this fast court. And the home pressure is a privilege.”

Sinner remains an undefeated 4-0 this week and stands a formidable 61-14 for the season winning four titles.