Adedokun Waliyu 
Jannik Sinner will face Casper Ruud in the men’s final of the Italian Open after defeating Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling semi-final clash that was paused overnight because of rain in Rome.
The world number one secured a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 victory in a match that lasted over two and a half hours. The win gives Sinner the chance to claim a record-extending sixth Masters 1000 title.
During Friday night’s part of the match, Sinner struggled physically, receiving treatment on his right thigh and even vomiting as Medvedev pushed him harder than any opponent he had faced in the tournament so far.
However, Sinner appeared more relaxed and energetic before play resumed, joking and playing football with his coaching team as sunny weather returned after several rainy days.
“It was a different challenge, a tough challenge to be honest,” said Sinner.
He admitted that the overnight pause made it difficult to sleep because the match was unfinished and restarting felt like beginning a completely new contest.
The match restart was delayed further due to more rain and the completion of the men’s doubles semi-final won by Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori.
Ruud Revenge?
Sinner resumed play leading 4-2 in the final set, a gap Medvedev could not recover from. The Italian eventually sealed his 33rd consecutive win in Masters 1000 tournaments.
Although Medvedev fought back to win game seven of the deciding set, Sinner responded strongly by winning the next game on serve without dropping a point before closing out the match in under 20 minutes.
Casper Ruud now gets another opportunity to face Sinner after his dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Luciano Darderi in the other semi-final, which was also interrupted by rain.
Ruud has never taken a set from Sinner in their four previous meetings. Last year at the Foro Italico, Sinner overwhelmed the Norwegian 6-0, 6-1 in one of the tournament’s most one-sided matches.
“I think he’s playing much, much better tennis right now, so it’s going to be very tough,” Sinner said about Ruud.
“Every match every week, even if you play with the same player week after week, is completely different, so I’m just happy to stand again here in the final.”
Later, Coco Gauff was scheduled to face Elina Svitolina in the women’s final as the American sought her first Rome title ahead of her Roland Garros title defence.
