Jannik Sinner is set to face Daniil Medvedev in the semifinal of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
Medvedev’s Task Against Sinner
Medvedev is coming off a quarterfinal win over Martin Landaluce. Medvedev elevated his game to a high level. His returns landed on the baseline, his forehands skidded through the corners, his overheads dove in at the last second, and his swing volleys went into the open court.
Medvedev will face the top-seeded Sinner in the semifinal. Sinner finished his own match in straight sets. Medvedev is 1-9 in their last 10 matches. He has gone set-less against Sinner for nearly two years. Medvedev will have less rest than Sinner for this semifinal.
The match will be in front of Sinner’s home fans. They would like to see him win his national title for the first time.
Medvedev’s Potential Strategy
Medvedev needs to keep doing what he was doing in his quarterfinal. The last time he faced Sinner, in the Indian Wells final in March, Medvedev was in all-out attack mode. He fought the world No. 1 to a draw from the baseline. Both sets went to tiebreakers. Medvedev had chances to win each of them.
In the second set, Sinner appeared to be on the verge of cramping in the heat. He rescued himself with a series of pinpoint, pressure-packed winners. If it had gone to a third, Medvedev might have won.
Sinner’s Recent Form
Sinner also had a physical issue in his quarterfinal. He struggled to get the ball over the net late in the second set against Andrey Rublev. He saved himself with the quality of his shots and served out the match in two.
- Medvedev should feel confident that he can go toe-to-toe with Sinner.
- He can possibly wear him down physically.
Sinner has been too good this year, in Masters 1000s, and against this opponent.
Darderi’s Roman Success
Earlier this week, it was written that Darderi had an exceptionally low profile for a Top 20 player. He has five career titles, he’s been ranked as high as No. 18, and he’s had a good year. Three rounds later, fans have seen a lot more of the Italian, who was born in Argentina to a teaching pro father.
Darderi came back from a set down to beat Tommy Paul. He saved match points against Alexander Zverev. He also survived a mid-match charge by Rafael Jodar. In all three, he rode a tsunami of Roman support.
Sinner is the favourite going into the match against Medvedev.