Jannik Sinner saves match point against Karen Khachanov at Great Ocean Road Open

In one of Melbourne's most extended matches this week, the young Italian Jannik Sinner saved a match point in a thrilling 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 victory over Karen Khachanov.

The encounter lasted for three hours and seven minutes. The youngster held his nerves in the decisive moments to seal the deal and advance into the second straight ATP final after Sofia last November.

Jannik hit 46 winners and 53 unforced errors, fending off 12 out of 17 break chances and stealing Karen's serve four times. Sinner saved a set point at 5-6 in the opener to pull the break back and grabbed the tie break 7-4 for a massive boost. The youngster moved in front with a break in game seven in set number two, only to lose the next three games, as Khachanov found the range on the return to add two breaks to his tally and steal the set 6-4.

Sinner opened a 5-3 advantage in the final set and served for the victory at 5-4. The Russian refused to surrender, though, breaking back in that tenth game and earning a match point on the return at 6-5. After a brilliant point, Jannik saved it and grabbed the breaker 7-4 to move over the top and advance into the title clash against a compatriot Stefano Travaglia.