Daniil Medvedev’s emotions ran high during his latest encounter with Jannik Sinner at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Russian star, known for his competitive edge and sometimes unpredictable temperament, couldn’t contain his frustrations as he found himself overwhelmed by Sinner’s clinical performance. In a heated moment on the court, Medvedev repeatedly smashed his racket after missing a crucial opportunity to claw back into the match, a stark reflection of his struggles throughout their rivalry in recent times.
While Medvedev had once dominated Sinner in their head-to-head battles—winning their first six matches—the tide has dramatically turned in favor of the Italian. Sinner has since turned the tables, winning seven of their last eight encounters. Their most recent meeting prior to the Six Kings Slam, in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Shanghai Masters, saw Sinner dismantle Medvedev with a commanding 6-1, 6-4 victory. That match was a precursor to Sinner’s eventual title win in Shanghai, underscoring the Italian’s rise to World No. 1 and his growing dominance over one of his former nemeses.
The quarterfinal clash at the Six Kings Slam, however, proved to be even more lopsided. Sinner came out firing, overwhelming Medvedev with relentless aggression and precision. The Russian, who has often struggled to maintain his composure during high-stakes matches, found himself completely out of rhythm as Sinner cruised through the first set, handing Medvedev a rare “bagel” with a 6-0 scoreline. It marked the first time Medvedev had been shut out in a set since 2020, a stunning display of Sinner’s superiority on the day.
Sinner’s dominance didn’t wane in the second set, where he quickly broke Medvedev’s serve to take a 4-3 lead. Despite Medvedev’s best efforts, the Russian squandered four critical break points, missing a golden opportunity to get back into the match. His frustrations boiled over after an errant shot, and in a display of fury, Medvedev repeatedly slammed his racket onto the court. It was a scene that captured the depth of his anger and disappointment, as he struggled to cope with the mounting pressure and Sinner’s relentless assault.
The World No. 5 continued to express his agitation throughout the remainder of the match, visibly frustrated as Sinner marched toward a dominant 6-0, 6-3 victory. The loss saw Medvedev exit the Six Kings Slam in the quarterfinal stage, while Sinner advanced to the semifinals in yet another demonstration of why he currently holds the top spot in the ATP rankings.
Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, was pleased with his performance, especially considering the limited preparation time he had before the match. The Italian arrived in Riyadh just a couple of days before the tournament and had only one practice session before stepping onto the court. Despite the lack of preparation, Sinner played with remarkable precision and control, thoroughly outclassing Medvedev from start to finish.
“It was a very good performance considering I arrived just a couple days ago, not even,” Sinner said in his post-match interview. “And I only had one practice session. I was looking forward to coming here. It’s a special place. Us players love it. It’s very, very new. We are some of the best six tennis players in the world.”
Sinner’s victory over Medvedev sets up a mouth-watering semifinal clash against Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion. The two players are no strangers to high-stakes encounters, and this match will serve as a rematch of their recent showdown at the 2024 Shanghai Masters final, where Sinner emerged victorious with a 7-6(4), 6-3 win. That victory was a significant milestone in Sinner’s career, as it marked his first title win over Djokovic in a final and solidified his place at the top of the ATP rankings.
Now, with a spot in the Six Kings Slam final on the line, both players will be eager to prove themselves once again. Djokovic, always a formidable opponent, will be looking for redemption after his Shanghai defeat, while Sinner will aim to continue his incredible run of form in 2024.
Should Sinner manage to defeat Djokovic, his next challenge could be just as daunting, as he would face either Carlos Alcaraz or Rafael Nadal in the final. Alcaraz, fresh off a convincing 6-4, 6-2 win over Holger Rune, will face his fellow Spaniard and tennis legend Nadal in the other semifinal. The prospect of a Sinner-Alcaraz final, pitting the current World No. 1 against the young superstar from Spain, would undoubtedly be a blockbuster event, but a Sinner-Nadal final would carry its own narrative, especially with Nadal’s impending retirement adding extra significance to his matches.
For now, all eyes are on the upcoming semifinals at the Six Kings Slam, where some of the best players in the world will battle it out for supremacy. Sinner’s victory over Medvedev not only highlights his dominance over his former rival but also serves as a reminder of the shifting power dynamics in men’s tennis. As Sinner continues to assert himself as a top contender, the question remains: can anyone stop his meteoric rise? With Djokovic, Alcaraz, and Nadal still in the mix, the answer may soon become clear in Riyadh.
😳 | Eén ding is zeker, het racket van Daniil Medvedev is zeker stevig genoeg. 😅💥 #SixKingsSlam pic.twitter.com/kq0EDHNwa3
— DAZN België (@DAZN_BENL) October 16, 2024