The semifinal between Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev had to be suspended due to rain. Sinner had previously complained of physical problems—his opponent took a dig.

Heavy rain has halted tennis star Jannik Sinner’s winning streak at his home tournament in Rome. The Italian’s semifinal against Daniil Medvedev was suspended with the score at 6-2, 5-7, 4-2 in favor of the favorite and will resume on Saturday.

Nine days before the start of the French Open, Sinner surprisingly showed signs of weakness after a strong start. In the second set, he initially rallied from a 0-3 deficit but ultimately lost the set.

Sinner with physical problems

In the final set, Sinner complained of nausea, appeared exhausted, and had to receive medical attention. Cramps also seemed to be affecting the South Tyrolean. However, according to the rules, a player is not allowed to take a medical timeout due to cramps.

So Medvedev approached chair umpire Aurelie Tourte. “If we call the physical therapist because of cramps, will we get a fine? Is there special treatment?” Medvedev quipped.

Rain delay saves Sinner

Shortly afterward, Sinner pointed out the increasing rain and the court becoming increasingly slippery. Medvedev wanted to keep playing, but Tourte eventually suspended the match. The rain delay came at just the right time for Sinner, despite his lead.

The Italian could win his sixth consecutive 1000-level tournament in Rome. And not only that: The 24-year-old would be the first Italian winner of the Italian Open since Adriano Panatta in 1976—and the youngest player in history to win all the Masters.

Zverev’s conqueror eliminated

Casper Ruud has already reached the final in Rome. The Norwegian knocked the Italian Luciano Darderi, who defeated Alexander Zverev in the round of 16, out of the tournament with a 6-1, 6-1 victory.

Sinner would undoubtedly be the favorite against Ruud. He dominated the Scandinavian in the quarterfinals a year ago at the Foro Italico, winning 6-0, 6-1. In their four matches so far, Sinner has yet to lose a set.

However, Ruud showed good form on Friday: despite a rain delay, the clay-court specialist had no trouble with Darderi. The 27-year-old is thus back in a final for the first time since his victory in Stockholm in October.