Sinner loses to Medvedev in record-breaking Wimbledon clash

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has been knocked out of the quarter-finals of Wimbledon, losing to fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev in a record-breaking five-set match that concluded early on Wednesday morning (AEST).

The Italian was widely tipped to win his second Grand Slam this year, with tennis bettors placing him as a $2.75 favorite alongside Carlos Alcaraz in the outright betting.

However, Medvedev snapped a five-match losing streak against Sinner to secure a spot in the Wimbledon semifinals. The Russian was a $4.33 underdog going into the clash.

Medvedev’s 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3 win also broke the record for most five-set matches at a Grand Slam. Some 36 men’s singles matches have gone the distance at this year’s Wimbledon Championships — the most in the Open Era.

Australian Open revenge for Medvedev

Less than six months ago, Sinner and Medvedev met in the final of the Australian Open.

Medvedev started well, winning the first two sets, but Sinner caught up with him and won in five sets.

In the quarterfinals of Wimbledon it was sweet revenge for Medvedev.

Sinner won a first set of high quality, but struggled physically at times in the rest of the match. Although he turned on the afterburners and won the fourth set 6-2, Medvedev had more in the tank and was the one who drove home this time.

“I didn’t feel so good this morning. I had some problems. And then, with the fatigue, it was tough,” Sinner said.

“The physiotherapist said I should take some time off because he had been monitoring me and I didn’t seem able to play.

“I struggled physically. It wasn’t an easy moment. I tried to fight with what I had today.”

At one point in the third set, Sinner had to leave the court to receive treatment.

“I often felt dizzy,” he explained.

“Actually, I probably had the hardest time off the track. When I came back, I did my best.”

Alcaraz follows as Medvedev seeks another big win

In the other men’s quarter-final on Tuesday night, Carlos Alcaraz defeated the strong-performing Tommy Paul in four sets, winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

The Spaniard is now the favourite to win Wimbledon as his odds have dropped to $2.20 following Sinner’s elimination.

Many expected Sinner to be Alcaraz’s semi-final opponent, but instead he will face Medvedev on Friday.

The 21-year-old leads the pair’s head-to-head record at 4-2, having won their last two meetings in straight sets over the past year.

However, Medvedev has a 2-1 record against Alcaraz in Grand Slams, having won their last meeting at the 2023 US Open.

Despite this, the Russian heads into Friday’s semi-finals as a $3.50 underdog at UniBet, with Alcaraz paying $1.30 to reach his second consecutive Wimbledon final.

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