What you need to know ahead of the Australian Open final

Austrian tennis fans especially remember the final in Vienna last October: Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev I probably played the best final ever City halls-History And now there is a new edition on the biggest stage. In the first Grand Slam of the year, Sinner, Djokovic's victor, will be hoping for his first major title, and Medvedev his second. However, the Australian Open in Melbourne will see a new winning face.

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Will be First new champion since Stan Wawrinka in 2014 “Down”. In the first final in Melbourne since 2005, which does not feature tennis legends Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal, it will be a showdown between the 22-year-old South Tyrol player and six-time finalist Medvedev. In 2021, the Russian won his only title so far at the US Open.

The finalists had major hurdles in the semi-finals

Both players reached the final with thrilling semi-final victories: Sinner ended his 33-match winning streak Djokovic With a very strong win in four sets, Medvedev battled Alexander Zverev After trailing by two sets, 0-2, they lost in five sets.

Sinner said, “My victory over Novak here means a lot to me. It was a special victory. But the tournament is not over yet.” “A tournament final is always something very special, no matter how big the tournament is. I'm looking forward to being able to experience this special atmosphere here in Melbourne.”

And also Medvedev The final begins with enhanced self-confidence. The world number three said: “I am stronger than I was before the tournament because I know now that I can do some things that I thought I could not do before.” Carlos Alcaraz It could take him out of second place if he wins. Medvedev said, remembering the second round when he played against the Finnish player: “I have never reached a Grand Slam final in this way.” Emile Russofori He also turned around a 0-2 group deficit. And also against the pole Hubert Hurkacz In the quarterfinals he had to go through five sets. “Mentally, I am 100% better than I was before the tournament.”

There's a lot going for Jannik Sinner in the final

Sinner, who remains fourth in the ATP rankings at the moment, is more comfortable. The winner in Vienna did not lose a set until the semi-finals. Sinner and Medvedev meet for the tenth time, and the record actually speaks in favor of the Russian with a 6-3 victory. However, the last three comparisons all went to the Italian. After Vienna, Sinner also won a semifinal in three sets at the ATP Finals in Turin. It is the first meeting at the main level.

If Sinner continues to play as before, and is unaffected in his first major final, he will be the favorite. Medvedev, 27, remained on the court for nearly six hours during the tournament, longer than his opponent. The winner on Sunday (9.30am CET/Eurosport live, ServusTV) will receive the equivalent of €1.93 million, while the finalist will receive €1.05 million.