"Tennis architect" Jannik Sinner edges past Andrey Rublev after intense semi-final battle at 2023 Vienna Open

Jannik Sinner has edged past Andrey Rublev to make the final of the 2023 Vienna Open after he won an intense semi-final battle in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6 (5).

The World No. 4 moved past Ben Shelton, Lorenzo Sonego, and Frances Tiafoe to set up the semi-final meeting with Rublev. At the beginning of the match, the latter appeared to be in control, as a double fault from Sinner gave his opponent an early break and a 4-2 lead.

Rublev then held until he was in a position to serve for the set. However, Sinner was not about to let it slip away from him, and he fought back to build up two break points. The Italian player then converted the second one to put the set back on serve.

At this point, Rublev was becoming increasingly frustrated, and this only got worse after Sinner took the lead in the next game, denying the Russian the chance to win back the break. As a result, Rublev smashed his racket over his knee, causing it to bleed.

Nevertheless, it did nothing to help him win back the opener, as Sinner proceeded to break Rublev again to put himself ahead. From there, he successfully served for the set.

Sinner carried this momentum on into the second set, breaking Rublev once again. However, his opponent was not done yet and broke back to level the set at 5-5. Eventually, a tiebreak was required to decide the outcome.

Rublev secured the first mini break of the tie but was unable to hold onto it for long as Sinner's aggressive play helped him to equalize at 4-4. From there, the 22-year-old pulled off some impressive points that led one commentator to label him a "tennis architect."

In the end, Sinner was able to secure a match point at 6-5, after which a double fault from Rublev booked the former's place in the final, where he will face Daniil Medvedev in a re-match of their clash in the final of the China Open earlier this month.