Yannik Sinner continues his winning streak: whether it’s a Masters 1000, a Grand Slam, or a lucrative exhibition in Saudi Arabia, it makes no difference for the world’s number one player. In the opening match of the richest tournament in the world, where just participating (by invitation) earns players a $1.5 million appearance fee and winning nets $6 million, Sinner swept past Daniil Medvedev in straight sets with a stunning 6-0, 6-3 victory.
Even Medvedev himself was astonished, admitting in the post-match press conference, “I’ve never played against someone who played like Jannik today. Normally, I think of Jannik as more consistent, like a machine, whereas Carlos [Alcaraz] is a bit more unpredictable with flashes of brilliance. But when Carlos is at his best, I consider him slightly better. But that’s at their peak performance. Today, I’ve changed my mind. I’ve never faced anyone who played like Jannik did today. It was a tough feeling on the court because I felt good, I was fighting well, physically I felt fine. My tennis wasn’t bad, and yet I lost, something I can’t ever remember happening before. That’s how it went.”
Today, at 6:30 PM Italian time, Sinner will face Novak Djokovic, whom he defeated in the final in Shanghai just days ago, to secure a spot in the final and aim for the massive prize pool offered by the PIF Fund, the event’s organizer. It’s worth noting that, as this is an exhibition tournament, no ATP ranking points are at stake, and it features unique aspects, such as Nadal and Djokovic only entering the competition in the semifinals. When someone pays that much, after all, they get to make the rules…
