\n<\/p>\n
Jannik Sinner overcame his physical struggles to lead Daniil Medvedev in a deciding set before rain stopped their compelling Italian Open semi-final.<\/b><\/p>\n
Sinner regularly leant on his racquet to support himself and had treatment on his thigh during a medical timeout in the third set.<\/p>\n
However, the 24-year-old was 6-2 5-7 4-2 in front when the weather resulted in the match being postponed until Saturday. <\/p>\n
Sinner had looked set to steamroller Medvedev after imperiously racing into a 4-0 lead on the way to taking the first set.<\/p>\n
However, Medvedev kept his cool as he took advantage of a drop in the Italian’s energy and quality to take a 3-0 lead in the second set.<\/p>\n
Sinner held a lengthy fourth game to prevent himself going 4-0 down and, despite showing visible signs he was struggling physically, broke back against the Russian.<\/p>\n
Medvedev kept up the pressure on his rival and it eventually paid off when he took a break point with Sinner serving to stay in the second set.<\/p>\n
It was the first set the world number one had dropped in this year’s tournament.<\/p>\n
Sinner, who is aiming to extend his record of ATP Masters 1000 wins to 33, had three break points in the third game of the decider and gave out a roar when he took the second after Medvedev sent a backhand long.<\/p>\n
Rain stopped play with Sinner 4-2 up in the decider and organisers later decided the match would resume on Saturday. <\/p>\n
The winner will face Casper Ruud, who overcame Italy’s world number 20 Luciano Darderi 6-1 6-1 to reach his first Italian Open final following a rain-interrupted match.<\/p>\n
“It’s my 10th semi-final I think in a Masters 1000 and it was his first so you try to use that experience to your advantage and I think I did that well today,” said Norway’s Ruud.<\/p>\n
“He was maybe a little bit stressed, a little bit nervous of the occasion, but I tried to stay focused and kind of in my own tunnel vision.”<\/p>\n
And looking forward to the final he said: “It will be a tough match no matter who it is.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n