Drama in Rome: Medvedev–Sinner semifinal suspended due to rain at 4-2 in the deciding set
At the ATP-1000 tournament in Rome, the match between Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner was stopped in the third set at 2-6, 7-5, 2-4 due to heavy rain and postponed to May 16.
Main Event
On May 15, 2026, a dramatic semifinal at the ATP-1000 tournament in Rome was cut short by nature. The match between world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and world No. 9 Daniil Medvedev was suspended due to heavy rain in the third set at 2-6, 7-5, 4-2 in favor of the Italian. The match has been rescheduled for May 16 and will resume no earlier than 4:00 PM Moscow time.
The clash on Center Court at the Foro Italico featured several storylines: Sinner's overwhelming dominance early on, the Italian's physical crisis, Medvedev's comeback, and a weather apocalypse that paused the match at its most tense moment. The winner of this semifinal will face Norway's Casper Ruud in the final, who earlier that day crushed Italian Luciano Darderi 6-1, 6-1.
Details and Statistics
First Set: A Hurricane Named Sinner
The match began with total dominance by the Italian. Sinner broke in the very first game, immediately consolidated, and then broke again for 3-0. The Russian looked lost, unable to handle his opponent's aggressive shots and making uncharacteristic errors. The world No. 1 won the opening set in 33 minutes, 6-2, and it seemed the match was heading for a one-sided rout.
Second Set: Physical Crisis and Comeback
But in the second set, the nature of the game changed dramatically. Medvedev broke first to lead 2-0, forcing his opponent onto the defensive. Midway through the set, Sinner began experiencing serious health issues: the Italian vomited on court at 1-3, with the score at deuce (40-40). The player looked exhausted—breathing heavily, leaning on his racket between points, and his hands visibly shaking.
Former world No. 54 Natalia Vikhlyantseva commented on Sinner's condition: "No joke, Jannik is feeling very bad. His hands are shaking, he can barely breathe... It's not hot in Rome, maybe the high humidity is affecting him."
Despite this, the Italian managed to break back at 2-3, but that game drained too much of his energy. Medvedev methodically exploited his opponent's physical problems, held his advantage, and sealed the set with a break at the end—7-5. The semifinal headed to a deciding set.
Third Set: Rain as the Third Player
Before the third set, Sinner took some pills to cope with his discomfort. And it worked—the Italian broke first to lead 2-1. But Medvedev didn't let him get far. At 3-2, Sinner called a medical timeout.
Then the weather intervened. The rain intensified, making the lines slippery and dangerous. The umpire hesitated to stop the match, so Sinner himself insisted on a pause. The players left the court at 4-2 in favor of the Italian, with Medvedev leading 30-0 in the seventh game. Later, organizers canceled all remaining matches for the day.
Context and Significance
Head-to-Head History
This was the 17th meeting between Sinner and Medvedev. The head-to-head record stands at 9-7 in favor of the Italian. Their last encounter was in the 2026 Indian Wells Masters final, where Sinner won in two tiebreaks—7-6, 7-6.
For Medvedev, this semifinal was his fourth on clay at the Masters level and his first since his triumph in Rome in 2023. Reaching the semifinal also marked his 50th ATP-level win on clay. Thanks to this result, Medvedev moved up to eighth in the live rankings, overtaking Australia's Alex de Minaur.
Prize Money and Stakes
The Rome tournament boasts a substantial prize fund of €8,235,540. The champion will receive €1,007,165, the finalist €535,585, and the semifinalist €297,550. For Medvedev, reaching the final would mean not only a solid financial boost but also overtaking American Taylor Fritz in the rankings.
Favorite's Physical Condition in Question
The main intrigue of the postponed match is Sinner's condition. The Italian showed clear signs of physical exhaustion, including vomiting and hand tremors. Yet he leads on the scoreboard and remains the favorite. Medvedev looked physically fresher by the end of the second set, and the postponement is more an opportunity to regroup than a problem for him.
What's Next / Match Preview
The match will resume on May 16 no earlier than 4:00 PM Moscow time on Center Court at the Foro Italico. The players will pick up where they left off: third set, 4-2 in favor of Sinner, with Medvedev serving.
The winner of this semifinal will face Casper Ruud in the final on May 17. Ruud earlier convincingly dispatched Luciano Darderi 6-1, 6-1. This is the Norwegian's first career final in Rome. Notably, the women's singles final is also scheduled for May 16: American Coco Gauff will take on Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.
Medvedev assessed his chances before the match: "If you want to beat Jannik, you have to play your best tennis. We're not crazy—you won't hit every ball down the line. You need a good day for all your shots and serve to work. Anything is possible. He loses far less than he wins, but at some point he has to lose." Perhaps that moment will come on May 16 in Rome.
— Editorial Team
