• Jannik Sinner becomes the first-ever Italian to win an Australian Open
Nine’s Australian Open dominated headlines Sunday evening as Italy’s Jannik Sinner took on Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the Men’s Singles Final.
After an epic comeback, 22-year-old Sinner clawed his way back from two sets to love, winning the 3hr 44 mins game in a 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 victory.
While winning the title is an incredible achievement in itself, he is also the first-ever Italian to win an Australian Open, the first Italian male to claim a grand slam since 1976 and is also the youngest AO men’s champion since Novak Djokovic (whom he knocked out on January 26) in 2008.
Seven
Over on Seven, more sporting history was made as the West Indies broke a 27-year drought against Australia in Test Cricket with a stunning eight-run win. Even though he was sporting an injury that forced him to retire during Saturday’s match, 24-year-old Shamar Joseph played on, remarkably taking seven wickets in his second-ever Test.
Later, viewers tuned in to Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Boy, which told the compelling story of Jimmy Barnes’ childhood through a raw and compassionate lens and filled with staged live musical performances.
10
On 10, The Sunday Project welcomed comedian Josh Thomas who has moved back to Australia after living in LA for years, and revealed why he can’t deal with Americans anymore. The desk also embraced Australia’s favourite Golden Boy, Grant Denyer, who is hosting the new and improved Deal or No Deal.
Then, it was time for the season finale of Gladiators Australia as Daine, Janice, Kalani and Taylah competed against the Gladiators – and each other – in Hang Tough, The Edge, Pyramid, The Wall and finally, the Eliminator.
Kalani and Taylah were crowned the winners, earning a place as cast members in the next season.
ABC
ABC’s Grand Designs Transformations showed a dilapidated 1960s duplex in the Blue Mountains getting a Moroccan makeover, while in Sydney, a giant boulder the size of a backyard was transformed into a rock-top, poolside paradise.
Muster Dogs showcased pups at seven months, who now have a strong bond with their handlers. However, they faced big tests as they learned to herd livestock and respond to calls with surprising results.
Viewers also tuned in to another episode of the final season of Total Control. During the episode, Rachel (Rachel Griffiths) gathered the numbers for her alliance at a Parliamentary event, while a serious health scare throws Alex’s (Deborah Mailman) entire future into jeopardy.
SBS
Over on SBS, audiences travelled 4000 years back in time with Pharaohs of the Two Lands, where in the land of Kush, strong kings ruled for over 1500 years, conquering Egypt and becoming pharaohs reigning over the lands.
They were also treated to two episodes of Dun Huang: Ancient Frontier Fortress.