Sinner against Medvedev: the big day has arrived

Jannik to avoid the coat and climb to number 6 in the world, Daniil to win his fourth final out of the five played in the last five tournaments, and get back on the hunt for number 1.

Tonight’s Miami final between Sinner and Medvedev pits the two most on-ball and continuous players of this beginning of 2023, respectively number 4 and number 1 in the Race, the ranking that only counts the points of the calendar year (the No. .2 is Djokovic, 3 is Alcaraz)

Medvedev saw his 19-game winning streak ended by da Alcaraz two weeks ago in the Indian Wells final, and is leading 5-0 in the previous matches with Sinner. The last one dates back to February, in the final in Rotterdam, when Medvedev came from behind 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, conquering the first of three consecutive titles.

Thanks to the victory against Khachanov, Daniil now boasts at least the final in all six Masters 1000 and in the two Slams that are held on the fast track, while Jannik is the only Italian capable of reaching two Masters 1000 finals (the first always in Miami he lost it in 2021 against the Polish Hurkacz), the only one to succeed on the fast, and can become the second to win one in the Open era after Fabio Fognini, who triumphed in Monte Carlo in 2019 (Berrettini instead boasts a final in Madrid). He is also the seventh blue to defeat a number 1 in office after Corrado Barazzutti (Nastase, 1972), Adriano Panatta (Connors 1975 and 1977), Pozzi (Agassi, 2000), Filippo Volandri (Federer 2007), Fabio Fognini (Murray 2017 ) and Lorenzo Sonego (Djokovic, 2020).

“Jannik is making great progress,” admitted the Russian. From the baseline he hits very hard, with his forehand he reaches 160 kilometers per hour, I can’t do it, and this is an advantage ».

Percussion versus unpredictability, progression versus acceleration, return versus serve. Both focus above all on a tennis with great power from the baseline, the statistical indicators say that in Miami so far no one has managed to command the game like Jannik. Among other things, the Italian has successfully increased his scoring, and attacking Medvedev by taking away his pace and points of reference could become an important tactical key. But Jannik will also have to improve his serve performance, one of Medvedev’s strengths. “It will certainly be a completely different game than the one with Carlos,” admitted Jannik. “I’ve never beaten Daniil. We have already faced each other in the final in Rotterdam. when I managed to win a set, but I have to make some changes, trying to vary the game a bit. I’m happy to be in the final, let’s see how it goes». Three of their five matches needed the decisive set, including Medvedev’s victory at the 2021 ATP Finals, but today’s Sinner is a different player, more mature and self-confident, grown both muscularly and tactically.

For fans, Sunday can turn into a long preparation for the big match of the day. The emotions of the electrifying encounter with Alcaraz can be relived thanks to the reruns of Sky Sport, with ample space also on the Sky Sport 24 all-news channel with highlights and interviews from Miami. The Sky Sport Tennis channel is also dedicated to the South Tyrolean champion with reruns of the night match (also available on demand) and the special «Sinner beyond tennis».

The final, starting at 7pm, will be broadcast on Sky Sport Tennis and streaming on NOW, with plenty of time before and after the match from 6.30pm.

On SuperTennis at 7.05 the reply of Sinner-Dimitrov will be broadcast, at 10.15 Sinner-Ruusuvuori, at 13.15 Sinner-Alcaraz. At 21.30, delayed, the final against Medvedev.

This in detail Sunday’s programming on Sky Sport Tennis and streaming on NOW

9.15 am: Sinner-Alcaraz semifinal (repeat)

12.15: Medvedev-Khachanov semi-final (repeat)

2.30 pm: Men’s Doubles final (repeat)

3.30 pm: Sinner-Alcaraz semifinal (repeat)

18.30: pre tennis study (also live on Sky Sport 24)

7 pm: Sinner-Alcaraz final (live)