Advertisement

Jannik Sinner shocks Carlos Alcaraz in 'crazy' drama in Miami Open semi-final

The young guns left tennis fans and commentators stunned with their level of play in the blockbuster clash.

Jannik Sinner, pictured here against Carlos Alcaraz in a crazy semi-final at the Miami Open.
Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in a crazy semi-final at the Miami Open. Image: Getty/Tennis TV

Jannik Sinner has stopped the incredible run of Carlos Alcaraz at the Miami Open, beating the World No.1 in an extraordinary semi-final. Sinner and Alcaraz left the tennis world stunned in an absorbing back-and-forth battle at the ATP 1000 event on Friday.

In a rematch of their blockbuster semi-final clash at Indian Wells last week, Alcaraz took on Sinner on Friday with a place in the Miami final on the line. And the showdown between the young guns certainly didn't disappoint, as both players traded blows in an exhilarating encounter.

'WHAT A JOKE': Wimbledon under fire over 'immoral' backflip

LOVE MATCH: Thanasi Kokkinakis goes public with new flame

Fans and commentators were left speechless during the first set after Alcaraz and Sinner went toe-to-toe in a stunning rally that lasted over a minute. Alcaraz appeared to have won it before Sinner produced a brilliant forehand return on a ball that looked to have gone past him, before the pair traded multiple blows from the baseline.

Sinner then pulled off a deft backhand across court that Alcaraz couldn't reach, as the Spaniard was left sprawled on the court on his back. Sinner raised his hand to the sky in celebration as spectators lapped up the incredible scenes.

"One of the points of the year. No one can believe it," the TV commentator said. On social media, many labelled it one of the best rallies they'd ever seen.

Sinner took a 4-1 lead in the first-set tie-breaker, but couldn't go on with the job as Alcaraz stormed back to win the next six points and take it 7-4. Sinner then went out to a 2-1 lead after a break in the second set, but Alcaraz once again managed to work his way back to level things. The Italian then got the decisive break to go up 5-4 before serving out the set to level the match and send it to a decider.

Alcaraz's body then seemed to betray him as the Spaniard started moving gingerly. Sinner was able to capitalise on his ailing opponent and immediately broke in the third set before going up 2-0.

The World No.1 managed to recover and once again threatened to produce a comeback. But it was Sinner who prevailed in the end, taking the third set 6-2 to advance to a showdown with Daniil Medvedev in the final. The win marked Sinner's first over Alcaraz on hard court and the first of his career over a World No.1.

Jannik Sinner, pictured here in action against Carlos Alcaraz at the Miami Open.
Jannik Sinner in action against Carlos Alcaraz at the Miami Open. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) (Al Bello via Getty Images)

Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner in Miami Open final

Alcaraz had been aiming to become the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to do the 'Sunshine Double' and win back-to-back titles at Indian Wells and Miami. But it is Sinner who will now take on Medvedev in the final, after Alcaraz beat the Russian in the decider at Indian Wells last week.

Medvedev reached his fifth-consecutive final on the ATP Tour after a 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 6-3 win over fellow Russian Karen Khachanov. The 27-year-old Medvedev, playing against his boyhood friend, survived a second-set comeback to prevail after an enthralling, high-quality encounter.

Medvedev hit 13 aces and saved four of six break points as the match turned decisively in his favor when he broke Khachanov in the fourth game of the third set. The World No.5 won 82 per cent (14 of 17) of his first-serve points in the final set and was relieved to have beaten a player who knows his game so well.

Daniil Medvedev, pictured here after his win over Karen Khachanov at the Miami Open.
Daniil Medvedev celebrates his win over Karen Khachanov at the Miami Open. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) (Al Bello via Getty Images)

"In my opinion, it was a top match," Medvedev said. "In the first set when we lost our serves, it was just a good game from the returner.

"In the second set, I had one bad game and he won the set. I had one break point, I could have done better. He had a break point in the first game of the third set, I managed to play well. He had one bad game in the third set, I managed to take it and I am really happy to be through. It was a very tough match."

Medvedev said he believes he's capable of beating any player on the tour. "I have to believe in myself. I know I am capable of winning big titles. I know I can play well and beat anybody," he said.

Medvedev's win makes him the first player since Roger Federer in 2019 to reach the final at both Indian Wells and the Miami Open in the same season. The Russian is also the first since Federer in 2006 to reach five ATP finals before the clay-court season begins.

with agencies

Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.