Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev semi-final halted by rain after injury drama

The drama started well before the heavens opened, with World No 1 Sinner requiring medical treatment on his thigh during a medical time-out in the third set.

The Italian was seen leaning on his racquet to support himself several times as he struggled with his movement against the Russian.

Medvedev believed Sinner was cramping, which under ATP Tour rules means the Italian would not be eligible to receive a medical time-out.

In a conversation mainly in French, Medvedev was heard saying "When we call the physio for cramps, we don't get fined?" while physios were caring for Sinner during the deciding set.

Sinner raced into a 4-0 lead and took the first set comfortably, but Medvedev fought back as the Italian's level and energy dropped in the second. Despite Sinner briefly recovering from 3-0 down, Medvedev stayed on top and eventually broke to take the set, ending Sinner's run of dominance in the tournament.

Still, after dropping the second set, Sinner had managed to go a break up in the third, with the contest set to resume with Sinner leading 6-2 5-7 4-2.

The winner moves on face Casper Ruud, who overcame Italy's world number 20 Luciano Darderi 6-1 6-1 to reach his first Italian Open final.

"It's my 10th semi-final I think in a Masters 1000 and it was his first so you try to use that experience to your advantage and I think I did that well today," said Ruud.

"He was maybe a little bit stressed, a little bit nervous of the occasion, but I tried to stay focused and kind of in my own tunnel vision."

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