Rock-solid Sinner overwhelmes Medvedev in straight sets

MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. >> Jannik Sinner is starting to dominate.

Sinner overwhelmed third-seeded Daniil Medvedev 6-1, 6-2 on Friday in the semifinals of the Miami Open to improve to 21-1 this year. His only loss was to Carlos Alcaraz in the Indian Wells final.

The second-seeded Sinner, rock-solid with his firecracker forehand, became the first man to reach backto-back Miami Open finals since John Isner did it in 2019. In last year’s Miami final, Medvedev prevailed over Sinner at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.

This time, Medvedev’s three games tied his career low for wins in a match. He committed 22 unforced errors.

“I’m happy about this season — who wouldn’t be happy?” Sinner said. “I know the players will get to know me more and study me so I have to be ready.”

Sinner, 22, began his revenge against Medvedev for last year’s Miami final

This match was a lot easier than Australia in the 80-degree South Florida heat as the Italian jumped to a 5-0 lead at the outset in posting two straight breaks of the Russian’s serve. It was over in 69 minutes.

Sinner will play in the final Sunday against the winner of the second semifinal between No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev and 11th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov.

Sinner, who said his serve has improved because he’s gotten stronger, broke Medvedev four times, didn’t get broken, had seven aces and won 80% of his first serves.

“This year, I have another chance,” Sinner said in the on-court interview. “I don’t think he played his best tennis and I tried to stay focused and in my rhythm.”