World no. 3 Daniil Medvedev will not defend his ATP 500 Rotterdam title next week, withdrawing from the prestigious indoor event. Daniil needs more time to recover following a grueling Australian Open campaign that saw him spending hours on the court, moving closer to the title but settling with the runner-up prize. Medvedev had planned to compete in back-to-back events like in 2023 when he claimed three titles within as many weeks. However, he changed his plans following the Australian Open, removing Rotterdam from his schedule due to fatigue and a foot injury and taking a break until Doha and Dubai. Daniil kicked off the 2024 season in Melbourne, opting to play no pre-Australian Open events.
Jannik Sinner & Daniil Medvedev, Rotterdam 2023© Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Staff – Getty Images Sport
The Russian had to work hard to achieve a good result, coming from two sets to love down two times and booking a place in his third Australian Open final. Daniil experienced a massive blow like two years ago against Rafael Nadal, building a massive advantage against Jannik Sinner before falling 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in three hours and 44 minutes! Thus, Medvedev made his score in the Major finals even worse, winning one out of six. Sinner claimed one point more than Medvedev, with nothing separating them after four breaks for each player. Daniil had the upper hand in the opening two sets, serving well and delivering four breaks for a massive boost. The Russian reached deuce on the return at 4-4 in the third set, failing to create a break chance.
Daniil Medvedev withdrew from Rotterdam.
Sinner grabbed his first break in the tenth game, clinching the set 6-4 and launching his comeback. Daniil sprayed a backhand error at 30-0 in the seventh game of the fourth set, missing a chance to create three break points. He earned one, and Sinner denied it with an ace for a vital hold. Daniil squandered a game point at 4-5 and lost serve after a forced error, allowing Jannik to introduce a decider after three hours and six minutes. They stayed close to each other at the beginning of the final set before Sinner stepped in on the return at 3-2. The Italian fired a forehand winner in the sixth game, moving 4-2 in front and landing a service winner in the next one to move closer to the finish line. Medvedev held in the eighth game with a volley winner, and Sinner served for the title at 5-3.
Daniil Medvedev, Rotterdam 2023© Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Staff – Getty Images Sport
The young gun fired a forehand down the line winner on a match point, celebrating an incredible comeback and his first Major title at 22. With Medvedev’s withdrawal, Sinner will be the top seed in Rotterdam, skipping this week’s Marseille event and preparing for a comeback at the ATP 500 event. Medvedev and Sinner met in the Rotterdam final a year ago, with the Russian scoring a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 triumph in two and a half hours. Jannik made a flying start and forged a 4-1 lead in the first set before Daniil climbed back to 4-4. The Italian secured another break in the 12th game, stealing the opener 7-5. Daniil raised his level in the second set, clinching two breaks and winning it 6-2, gathering a boost ahead of the decider. The Russian emerged at the top with two breaks in the decider, celebrating his first title of the season and kicking off a notable streak.
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