The last time there was an Australian Open final that did not feature one of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic was 19 years ago, when Marat Safin defeated Lleyton Hewitt in 2005.

And the winner tonight will be tipped to follow in the footsteps of Djokovic in carrying the sport forward.

Certainly Australian great Nick Kyrgios expects that – he’s already dubbed Sinner the ‘New Novak’ because of his deadly presence on the court.

But is was Medvedev who took the early advantage, jumping out to a 6-3 6-3 lead.

9.25PM: COLD-BLOODED MEDVEDEV ZEROES IN

THIRD SET: Medvedev 1 – 1 Sinner*

Two fairly comfortable holds for both finalists to lead off the third set, but Sinner needs more than that.

And nothing is going right for him right now. Even the let cord is against him – a ripping forehand looks like a winner until it catches the tape, and bounces back on his side of the court.

Medvedev, meanwhile, is showing absolutely zero emotion. He’s five games away from a second grand slam title, but you wouldn’t know it.

9.15PM: MEDVEDEV TAKES SECOND SET

Medvedev leads 6-3 6-3

A quick hold on serve – in itself, a victory of sorts – for Sinner puts the pressure back on Medvedev.

After being broken last game, the second set is once again on his racquet.

He’s pushed – and Sinner saves one set point – but the Russian regroups to take the first set. He has a two-set lead, and will be hard to beat from here.

9.04PM: SINNER GETS A BREAK BACK

SECOND SET: Medvedev 5 – 2 Sinner*

Sinner needed that, badly.

With Medvedev serving for the set, Sinner turns it on and finally finds his range.

A couple of dodgy backhands from Medvedev opens the door, and the young Italian charges through for 2-5 in the second set.

He is still down a break in this set, but he has – momentarily, at least – stopped the onslaught.

“He’s just looking for a spark at this point. He’s hoping beyond hope that Medvedev’s level drops,” says Jim Courier.

8.57PM: BROKEN! SINNER FALLING APART

SECOND SET: *Medvedev 5 – 1 Sinner

This is next-level stuff from Medvedev, who has played Sinner off the court.

He’s forcing him into areas he is not comfortable – whether that is on the court, or tactically.

Sinner is broken for a second time in the second set, charging in for a serve-volley but firing it wide.

That is not a traditional Sinner tactic, but what he’s tried has not worked so he’s opting for anything at this point.

8.52PM: BROKEN! MEDVEDEV TAKES CONTROL

SECOND SET: Medvedev 4 – 1 Sinner*

The angles Medvedev is finding here are out of this world. Sinner has become one of the great scrappers on tour, but he’s having to fight tooth and nail for his service games at the moment.

And his serve has started to malfunction. His first serve percentage is slipping, and he mixes in a double fault as he’s forced to deuce once more.

Another sloppy drop shot, on break point, proves costly.

Sinner is broken for a third time, and he’s fallen behind 3-1 in the second set.

A love hold game for Medvedev follows for 4-1 and this match is quicky slipping away for Sinner.

8.43PM: SINNER SAVES FOUR BREAK POINTS

SECOND SET: *Medvedev 1 – 1 Sinner

It’s getting real for Jannik Sinner who is, as Jim Courier notes, simply in survival mode at the moment.

But crucially, saves four break points in his first service game of the second set, via a monstrous forehand, a blown smash from Medvedev and two mad scrambles at the net.

He needs that to be a turning point.

“Have you ever seen Medvedev play batter than this?” asks Courier.

Lleyton Hewitt confirms he has not. Sinner might be inclined to agree.

8.30PM: SINNER ‘SHELLSHOCKED’ AFTER FIRST-SET MASTERCLASS

SECOND SET: Medvedev 1 – 0 Sinner*

Another comfortable hold to start the second set for Medvedev, and the young Italian needs to find his way into this match quickly.

Because he’s falling behind in rallies and he’s fallen behind on the scoreboard.

“I think early on Sinner is a little shell shocked at the moment,” says Lleyton Hewitt.

8.25PM: MEDVEDEV CLAIMS FIRST SET 6-3

Who saw that coming? Daniil Medvedev takes the first set in just 36 minutes, with a second break of Sinner’s serve.

From 15-40, Sinner saved two set points –the first when Medvedev pummels a backhand into the net after a 10-shot rally, and the second when he gets lucky with a drop-shot.

But a third – earned on the back of an utterly ridiculous recovery backhand, followed by some obscene court coverage from Medvedev – proves too much.

8.17PM: MEDVEDEV CLOSES IN ON FIRST SET

*Sinner 3 – 5 Medvedev

Sinner has found his groove on serve, but he needs a break soon or the first set will be beyond him.

On points where he lands the first serve, he’s close to untouchable tonight – as he has been throughout the tournament.

But Medvedev has tweaked his return tactics. Normally he stands on the back fence, but he’s trying to get up in Sinner’s face tonight and it’s working.

On his own racquet, the Russian has been comfortable after an early battle in his first service game.

8.07PM: AGGRESSION GIVING MEDVEDEV EARLY EDGE

Sinner 2 – 3 Medvedev*

It is early days, but these are promising signs for Daniil Medvedev.

He’s playing aggressively – perhaps because he knows if this goes to another five-set marathon that his legs might fall off.

But it’s working, so far – as he jumps all over Sinner’s second serve.

“They gave Medvedev the chance to step up in an aggressive mindset … that’s what got him the early break,” says Lleyton Hewitt.

Sinner recalibrates, however, and gets an important hold. But he remains behind a break.

8.00PM: BROKEN! MEDVEDEV DRAWS FIRST BLOOD

Sinner 1 – 2 Medvedev*

Sinner is the first to blink in this final – giving up three break points in his second service game as the Russian tactician makes his move early.

The first is saved, but Medvedev forces a mishit at the net after a series of powerful groundstrokes to snatch the first break.

He’s come out of the gate swinging. He’s been here before. He knows how important it is to start strong – how telling with experience be tonight?

7.55PM: 1-1 AS STARS TRADE EARLY BLOWS

What nerves? Jannik Sinner is playing in his first grand slam final, but he showed no nerves in his opening service game with a comfortable hold.

“An impressive opening game from Sinner, it can take a while to get the butterflies out but he came through very nicely,” says Jim Courier in commentary.

A not-so-comfortable hold follows from Daniil Medvedev – he gets there, but only after being pushed to deuce, and with another double fault.

Double faults almost ended his tournament on Australia Day when he delivered five in the opening set against Alexander Zverev.

He cannot afford to let that happen tonight.

EARLIER: THE PUKE WHICH TURNED THE TENNIS WORLD ON ITS HEAD

Jannik Sinner could become a grand slam champion tonight – and the origin of his remarkable rise is as bizarre as they come.

His stunning form explosion has delivered two titles, multiple victories over Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev, a Davis Cup triumph with Italy and just two defeats.

And the turnaround seems to stem from the China Open in Beijing in October last year.

Prior to that tournament, his win-loss record against top 10 players was 13-26 – which brought with it questions about his ability to take it to the best of the best.

However something happened in Beijing: Sinner called for a wheelie bin, midway through his quarter-final against Grigor Dimitrov, and violently vomited.

With that, ‘Post-Puke Sinner’ was born.

“A very tough evening, the level was really high. I didn’t feel very good, maybe I ate something wrong,” Sinner said after defeating Dimitrov that day.

“At one point I also threw up a little, but I’m happy with how I handled the situation.”

Little did he know what chaos he’d unleashed upon the tennis world.

Because he went on to defeat world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals and tonight’s opponent, Medvedev, in the final.

It’s triggered a run of 9-1 against the Top 10 – his only defeat coming to Djokovic in the final of the ATP Finals.

And now? A shot at a maiden grand slam final.

7.30PM: COUNTDOWN IS ON

The players set to shortly arrive on court for tonight’s final – and a warm 25 degrees at Melbourne Park.

It’s a Next Gen final, of sorts. No Novak. No Federer. No Nadal. The last time that happened Carlos Alcaraz was still in nappies.

So this should be special for many reasons.

The winner tonight will be thrust into the spotlight as the future of the men’s game.

But where will it land? Follow here and we’ll bring you the latest throughout the night.

7.15PM: SINNER HAILED ‘THE NEW NOVAK’

Jannik Sinner is just 22 years old – but he’s long been tipped for greatness.

And now Australian star Nick Kyrgios has bestowed upon him the biggest compliment of his career – labelling the young Italian as the ‘new Novak’.

Part of a young generation of stars, which includes two-time grand slam champion Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner is one of the new breed champing at the bit to take over from the all-time great Djokovic.

But who will be the dominant force of the next generation?

It could be Sinner, who has the same steely approach as the Serbian star, and could be ready to cement himself as the sport’s newest stone-cold killer.

“The changes he (coach Darren Cahill) has made in (Sinner’s) game and the willingness for Sinner to give him a try has now elevated him to the top of the sport,” Kyrgios told Eurosport.

“He’s beaten Novak – no one has done [that] here in so long. In that fashion as well, Novak didn’t even create one break point.

“I love the fact that Sinner compared; him and Novak play similar, and I can see it. After today, I think Sinner could be the new Novak.”

6.50PM: HAS MEDVEDEV GOT ANYTHING LEFT IN THE TANK?

Daniil Medvedev has been put through the wringer to get to tonight’s final.

He’s been on the brink of an early exit several times in the past fortnight – not least of all when he was two points from defeat in Friday’s semi-final against Alexander Zverev.

That makes him battle hardened. But does it also make him battle weary?

With over 20 hours on court under his belt this tournament, and three five-set epics, Medvedev has had to work hard to reach his third Australian Open final.

By comparison, Jannik Sinner has dropped just one set en route to the final and will be fresh as a daisy next to the wiry Russian.

“(Medvedev) would be angry if he doesn’t get the trophy, but it will be so hard, five hours and 49 minutes more time on court than his opponent,” said Todd Woodbridge on Channel 9.

“The physicality part (is important), but tactically he can change his game in a match, he has options.

“Against Alexander Zverev his legs were getting tired and he had to be aggressive and it got him through.”

6.30PM: AUS OPEN BOSS RESPONDS TO SCHEDULING FURORE

This year’s Australian Open started on a Sunday in a bid to help negate the prospect of late-night finishes, but the issue reared its head again during the tournament.

Daniil Medvedev’s third-round match against Emil Ruusuvuori finished at 3.49am, while Jannick Sinner’s quarter-final against Andrey Rublev did not finish until 1.12am after Novak Djokovic’s earlier day match bled into the evening session following Coco Gauff’s epic three-hour win.

Asked if there would be any more changes to the scheduling to next year’s Open to help further mitigate the chance of late finishes, Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said the scheduling would be reviewed as usual ahead of next year’s event, but he felt the changes had made an impact.

“I wish we could control the length of matches. We have had some of the longest matches that we have had in a long time,” Tiley said.

“One thing that has worked out really well this year is there is a longer recovery time between matches for the players and that is a direct result of starting a day earlier.

“It is over two hours longer, so on average players are getting a longer recovery time, which is important. We have also halved the number of finishes after 1am, so that has had a positive impact as well.

“One thing that is really difficult is to predict the length of a match – that day we had a long match, the women’s (quarter-final) match went over three hours and that’s unusual, you never really have that.

“Every year we will constantly review, but definitely the decision to start a day earlier to stretch out and take the edge off the first two days and to stretch out the first round into three days certainly is helpful.

“We’ll work with the players … no one really wants matches that go until the early-hours of the morning, but they have been magnificent contests and athletic contests.

“It’s just really the nature of the length of those matches. But there was a significant improvement this year, compared to last year’s with the actions that we have taken.” – REBECCA WILLIAMS

5.00PM: WHY AFL PREMIERSHIP COACH WILL BE IN AUS OPEN FINALIST’S BOX

What is it like to coach Jannik Sinner?

“It’s a crappy job,” his Australian coach Darren Cahill answered.

“We are not paid enough. The guy gives us a hard time, all the time, and he’s forever actually taking our money in card games.”

Cahill, of course, was joking. That question was asked by Sinner himself when he crashed his coaches’ press conference on Friday night.

“Finally, the truth comes out,” Sinner smiled as he left the room.

The real answer on Sinner’s inner sanctum came on the eve of the Australian Open.

“Maybe the most important thing is the company you have around,” Sinner said before his breakout tournament started.

“This is what lasts you forever, no? Maybe these sort of things you will always remember after your career also.

“(Cahill) gives you a point of view not only tennis-wise, but also the general view. I really like this.

“I love the company I have. We have a lot of fun.

“If we would live 24/7 in a house all together, we could … because we make zero problems out of it.”

Sinner had sacked veteran coach Ricardo Piatti after a string of losses in 2022 and signed Simone Vagnozzi.

Cahill was called in last year, having coached world No.1s Lleyton Hewitt (from the age of 12), Andre Agassi and Simona Halep.

Since the start of 2023 Sinner is 70-15, with only fellow finalist Daniil Medvedev recording more wins (72-18).

Cahill credited Vagnozzi for being the brains behind the operation.

“I’m more overseeing everything,” he said.

“Certainly we discuss tactics and the technical (side) and everything, but Simone is the voice.

“He’s the guy driving a lot of what you see in the improvements of Jannik.”

Clearly, Cahill’s calming influence has also been a catalyst for Sinner storming into Sunday night’s final.

Sinner has won three out of his past four matches against Novak Djokovic and his past three matches against Medvedev … after dropping his first six.

And it was at Alberton where Cahill learnt the crux of his craft.

“95 per cent of my coaching throughout my entire career was learnt through the Port Adelaide Football Club,” Cahill said.

“It’s just what I was brought up with, with my dad coaching there for so many years and being successful.

“There are some habits and some cultures and some ways of coaching that never leave you.”

That’s why Port Adelaide’s only premiership coach, Mark Williams, will be in Sinner’s box again when he battles Daniil Medvedev.

Williams’ father, the legendary Fos Williams, coached Cahill’s father, John Cahill and made him captain of Port.

Fos, an inaugural Australian Football Hall of Famer, played in six flags and coached a further three while John Cahill played in four and coached a further 10.

When John Cahill left to coach Collingwood in 1983 he made Mark Williams captain and Darren jetted off to play tennis worldwide, reaching the US Open semi-final in 1988.

The Williams and Cahill families have been linked for decades and in 2018 Darren joined Port Adelaide’s board.

The magic from the SANFL Magpies is being sprinkled on Sinner, the boy who preferred to ski the slopes over serve and slice on the tennis courts.

Sinner hails from the German-speaking small town of San Candido in Italy’s northwest.

His father is a chef and his mother waited tables at the same restaurant.

But at the age of 14 Sinner left to pursue a career in tennis and he has stormed into his maiden slam final by dropping only a single set.

Suddenly Sinner, a Gucci model and Rolex ambassador, is one win away from becoming Italy’s first Australian Open singles champion and just the third Italian player to win a men’s Grand Slam.

He would also become Melbourne Park’s first red-headed winner since 1996 – and there are six reasons why that is worth pointing out.

They are the Carota Boys, six Italian lads from the tiny town of Revello who dress up as carrots and travel the world screaming for Sinner.

Their costumes are a tribute to Sinner’s mop of red hair and also to his choice of treat – carrots, instead of the more common banana – during a match in Vienna in 2019.

The Carota Boys share a WhatsApp group with Sinner and have almost 90,000 Instagram followers.

“They are more famous than I am, to be honest,” Sinner once said of his superfans.

4.00PM: A CHAMPION REMADE: HOW HOT-HEADED MEDVEDEV COOLED HIS JETS

Daniil Medvedev the Zen Master.

Now there’s a description no-one would have seen coming about the Russian who has proudly worn the tennis villain moniker for years.

But Medvedev has been at pains to say he’s a changed man and is crediting this new-found attitude as a reason why he’s playing in his third Australian Open final.

Instead of firing off at someone in the crowd or provoking his opponent during a match with questionable tactics, the No. 3 seed is trying to let things go.

Even during an epic semi-final against his arch enemy Alexander Zverev, Medvedev managed to keep his cool even when he was two sets down and on the brink.

“I want a change, I want to become, I don’t want to say better person, because I don’t like these labels, “better person.” Who knows what is a better person?” he said.

“I just want to be better with myself. To not have after the matches these moments where I’m like, I did this with the crowd, was it right, was it wrong, why did I do it? Did it help me on the court? Did it not help me?

“I just don’t want to have it anymore. I want to play tennis, I want to be proud of myself, I want to fight and stuff like this.

“So could this help me win all of these matches? Possibly yes. But I also don’t want to say yes one month ago I decided this and then suddenly I’m winning all these matches. Life is not that easy.

“But I’m doing what I told myself to do one month ago. I’m happy about it and I’m looking forward to what’s next.”

At the end of last season Medvedev did something he hadn’t done for years, he took an extended break. He was mentally and physically burnt out and as he recharged his batteries in the Maldives, the genesis for his new Zen-like approach was born.

“It was during my holiday, so I think it was like the first holiday, let’s say, pre-season holiday I had in maybe four years or five years. I think the previous one was 2020, so a long time,” Medvedev said.

“For whatever reason, my mind was not stopping to think there, because at the end of the season, I was feeling mentally very tired, very tired. So every match I play, something would disturb me, I would, you know, have, with the crowd, with someone else. I would not be 100 per cent OK with myself.

“So during this holiday, I was trying some new things, some new breathing exercises, whatever. I was, like, wow, that feels good. I know a little bit more about my body now. I know a little bit more about my mind. Maybe, I know a little bit more about why things happen.

“Where before, I would just, OK, this happened. Let’s look to the future. Where now I’m trying to, OK, why does this happen, because I’m like this. So what can I do next, tomorrow, today.

“I just decided I want to try. The toughest part is sometimes in one week you kind of forget about it. You just move it away. It happened to me one time, I had an injury and during one week I thought, OK, now I’m going to change my mind and in one month it was gone.

“So I don’t know how long it’s going to work, but so far I’m 100 per cent into it, and when I’m 100 per cent into something, I tend to do it till the end.”

The end game is winning his second Grand Slam title.

This will be his sixth appearance in a major final with his only success coming in 2021 when he defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets at the US Open.

He lost back-to-back Australian Opens in 2021-22, the first to Djokovic in three sets and 12 months later he came up short in a five-set epic to Rafael Nadal.

The man standing in his way on Sunday night is rising Italian star Jannik Sinner. The pair have played nine times with Medvedev winning the first six encounters but he’s been on the wrong side of the ledger the past three outings.

“There is nothing too much of a tactical change when he won the last three,” Medvedev said. “He did a little more serve-and-volley, maybe a little more aggressive, but at the same time that’s what he’s doing against everyone. He’s just playing better.

“The three matches, all of them were tough. Two tiebreaks and two three-setters so I had my chances.

“All of them were at the end of the season where I felt like I was not at my 100 per cent, even if I was playing pretty good, but I was maybe at 97, 96. And against him, you need to be at 100.

“He’s playing better than before, especially at the end of the season he started playing at a whole different level. So if I want to beat him, I have to raise my level on a whole different level, and I will try to do it.”

Originally published as Australian Open men’s final: Live score updates from Daniil Medvedev vs Jannik Sinner