Medvedev stuns Sinner to reach Wimbledon semi-final, Vekic ends Sun dream

LONDON - Daniil Medvedev stunned stricken world number one Jannik Sinner in five sets to reach a second successive Wimbledon semi-final on Tuesday as Donna Vekic ended the magical run of New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun.

The fifth-ranked Medvedev triumphed 6-7 (7/9), 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 6-3 to avenge his Australian Open final loss to Sinner in January.

His four-hour victory also ended a five-match losing streak against the Italian as Medvedev reached his ninth Grand Slam semi-final.

The 28-year-old former US Open winner will face either defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or Tommy Paul of the United States for a place in Sunday's final.

Sinner, a semi-finalist in 2023, required medical treatment early in the third set as he appeared dazed and unsteady on his feet.

He had his blood pressure taken before undergoing a medical time-out.

"I knew if I wanted to beat Jannik it needs to be a tough match. He's not a guy you can beat easy anymore," said Medvedev.

"I felt at one moment he was not feeling that good but he started feeling better so I'm happy I managed to still stay at a high level.

"It's always tricky because you want to play more points to make him suffer a little bit more but in a good way."

In a tight first set in which neither man gave up a break point, Medvedev edged ahead in the tie-break on the back of a lung-busting 33-shot rally.

However, he squandered a set point and his game suddenly fell apart, serving up a double fault as Sinner pocketed the opener.

The mercurial Russian levelled the quarter-final before Sinner summoned the tournament physio after falling a break down in the third set.

After a 10-minute delay, the 22-year-old resumed play and thrilled the Centre Court crowd when he bravely clawed his way back to 5-5.

He then wasted two set points which allowed Medvedev to sweep through the tie-break.

However, the Italian was undaunted and levelled the quarter-final before Medvedev finished the fresher of the two players, breaking in the fourth game of the final set on his way to victory.

Sun went down 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 as Vekic reached the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time at the 43rd attempt and after 12 years on tour.

"I felt like I was dying out there in the first two sets but I just kept going, hoping to have a chance and it came in the end," said 28-year-old Vekic.

Sun, ranked 123rd in the world, was playing her eighth match of the tournament, including qualifying, in two weeks and the strain eventually told.

"She played well. Maybe if I could have moved faster, maybe if I didn't have the cramps, who knows what would have happened," said Sun, who will rise into the top 60 thanks to her All England Club run.

Vekic will face either Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini or 17th-ranked Emma Navarro for a place in Saturday's final.

Defending champion Alcaraz will be desperate to have his Wimbledon business done and dusted in time to settle in front of a television to see Spain take on France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals in Germany.

Alcaraz is good friends with Spain captain Alvaro Morata.

"It's time to support them, as I know they are supporting me when I'm playing matches or I'm playing tournaments," said the Spaniard.

Alcaraz is seeking to become just the sixth man to capture the French Open and Wimbledon titles back to back.

The tournament's remaining quarter-finals take place on Wednesday, with seven-time champion Novak Djokovic facing Alex de Minaur while Taylor Fritz clashes with Lorenzo Musetti.

In the women's draw, 2022 champion Elena Rybakina tackles Elina Svitolina, with Jelena Ostapenko and Barbora Krejcikova meeting in a clash of former French Open champions.