Jannik Sinner put on an extraordinary fightback to win his first Grand slam by beating Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final.
Italy’s Sinner trailed by two sets before recovering to win 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 in his first major final.
It was another bitter experience for Medvedev, who also blew a two-set lead against Rafael Nadal in the 2022 final.
A first-time champion in Melbourne was guaranteed after Sinner knocked out 10-time winner Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
Sinner ensured his name goes on the trophy – fulfilling the talent that many had predicted would lead to a Grand Slam triumph – after an courageous comeback in a match lasting almost four hours.
Third seed Medvedev, 27, has lost five of his six major finals, including ones against Djokovic in 2021 and Nadal in 2022 at Melbourne Park.
Sinner clinched victory with a forehand winner down the line, falling to his back on the baseline in celebration.
Another five-setter on Sunday meant Medvedev surpassed the previous record for time spent on court at a single Grand Slam tournament, which had been the 23 hours and 39 minutes Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz spent on his way to his 2022 US Open title.
After losing to Nadal, Medvedev started his post-match news conference with a sombre monologue where he said he had “stopped dreaming”.
This time, he struck a more upbeat tone and even managed to joke about his time on court.
