Daniil Medvedev v Alexander Zverev: ATP Finals – live

Medvedev 5-6 Zverev* Medvedev misses a simple forehand and Zverev makes 30-15, but then, during another long, physical rally, he wallops long, and given this match looks likely to be decided by a point here and there, that could cost him. But he slams a decent deep approach, then puts a way a fine backhand volley and closes out to guarantee himself a breaker minimum. Pressure on the Russian.

*Medvedev 5-5 Zverev Serving to stay in the set, Medvedev makes 15-0 when Zverev nets tamely, but a mis-hit forehand drops a little long; no matter, a return into the net gives him 30-15. A service-winner follows, then another, and this match has 7-6 6-7 7-6 written all over it.

Medvedev 4-5 Zverev* Zverev is attacking Medvedev’s forehand when we might’ve expected he’d go backhand to backhand, and the tactic gets him 30-0. But a poor approach means he’s there to be passed – on the backhand at 102mph – redressing the balance with a service winner. Medvedev, though, sticks in the game with a return that cramps movement, Zverev netting … before monstering an ace on to the T.

*Medvedev 4-4 Zverev Up 30-0, Medvedev is again imprecise on the forehand, but next point, he repels everything thumped at him before the error comes, then seals the convincing hold he needed with an ace. This is a really interesting match, Zverev trying to work out when he can attack and Medvedev trying to work him about the court.

Medvedev 3-4 Zverev* It took him a few games, but Zverev seems to acclimatised now. He races to 40-0, but then goes long to give Medvedev a sniff. And at the end of a sapping rally, it’s the Russian who falters first, a forehand down the line landing just wide. This next game will be very interesting, because Zverev has dominated the last 10 minutes.

*Medvedev 3-3 Zverev Medvedev merrily thrashes away from the back, but Zverev makes him hit an extra shot and he nets; a service-winner makes 15-all, then an excellent momentum-switching backhand givers 15-30 and a double raises two break-back points! The first is saved with a big serve and forehand combo move, then extra pace on a second delivery elicits a netted backhand return; deuce. Zverev, though, sticks at it, a telling forehand down the line giving him advantage, and when Medvedev nets a forehand we’re back on terms!

Medvedev 3-2 Zverev* A decent return from Medvedev allows a bigger forehand, and he comes in to dispatch a drive-volley putaway for 0-15. Zverev, though, plays a much better second point, finishing it off with a backhand volley, then spanks an ace out wide. At 40-15, Medvedev finds a loopy forehand that allows a backhand winner down the line, but then during another nice rally, Zverev slices, and he can’t get to the net in time to flip it back over.

*Medvedev 3-1 Zverev Medvedev is just so solid, but what I like about him is that he’s also creative and brilliant. And art the moment, he’s too much for Zverev, who can’t work out how to play him, or how to impose his will on the match. In double-quick time, it’s 40-0, then again, Zverev is directed to hither and yon before he nets; I guess if he’d hung in there longer, Medvedev would’ve hit a winner.

Medvedev 2-1 Zverev* Again, Medvedev dictates from the back then, when he’s good and ready – only when he’s good and ready – he sends a forehand winner into the empty space he’s created for that purpose. Zverev, though, responds with an ace then, at 40-30, Medvedev goes long and the German is on the board and in the match.

*Medvedev 2-0 Zverev We see Sinner in the crowd as Medvedev rushes to 40-15; he’s started tonight as he ended Monday night, in terrific nick. Zverev, though, is struggling with a different pace of match – Alcraaaz comes out you, Medvedev waits for you then comes at you – and that’s a pretty straightforward consolidation.

Medvedev 1-0 Zverev* (denotes server) A protracted rally to start, Zverev eventually going long on the forehand … then long on the backhand; immediate pressure. So far, they’re playing Medvedev’s game, slow points, and though he misses attempting a forehand winner, he hits with one immediately thereafter to raise two break points. But just as Zverev looks to have saved the first one with a booming backhand to the corner, followed up with a backhand, Medvedev’s response down the line is superb and allows him to clear up with a forehand winner! He breaks at the first time of asking!

Ready? Play.

Out come our players, the arena rammed again.

“There they are, the lads…” Some absolute rigs here.

‘Email! “I feel I have to inform you – or Coach Calv –” begins Mattia Leoni, “that Turin is only 289m above sea level, not exactly altitude: it is at the feet of the Alps, you can see the mighty mountains from the city, but … it’s still on the plain, basically!”

Interesting. I’m sure the commentators were talking about it as a factor last evening, is that not enough to have an effect?

This group could get complicated in this group. If Zverev wins tonight, he’ll be through and the winner of Alcaraz v Medvedev will join him; if he doesn’t, it’s all up in the air ti the extent it’s near-impossible to list the permutations.

“Where’s Coach Calv with his breakdown?” I hear you ask, and rightly so. Well, right here: “Sixth time they’ve played each other this year. Medevedev usually wins but Zverev loves playing in altitude. Could be close I think. They’ll both do their usual thing. Medvedev will stand miles back and not miss any balls, Zverev will serve big and try and take the court. He’s a crap volleyer though so he’s limited there. And also, Medvedev hates him – earlier this year, Zverev said they’d been friends since juniors, then Medvedev said I don’t know why he keeps saying that, we’ve known each other since then but never been friends. I’d still make Medvedev slight favourite but it’s very tight just because of the altitude.”

Also for your delectation…

Preamble