In a five-set thriller at Melbourne Park, Daniil Medvedev secured his place in the Australian Open final by staging a remarkable comeback against Alexander Zverev. The Russian, aged 27, battled from two sets down to triumph over Zverev with a final score of 5-7 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) 6-3, showcasing resilience and determination.
Medvedev’s journey to the final included overcoming challenges in the second round against Emil Ruusuvuori and a quarterfinal clash with Hubert Hurkacz, both requiring him to come back from 2-0 down in sets. The epic semifinal match against Zverev lasted for more than four hours and concluded past midnight local time.
Reflecting on the match, Medvedev expressed, “I was a little bit lost, but during the third set, I started saying that ‘if I lose this match, I want to be proud of myself, I want to fight for every point.’ I’m very proud.” He acknowledged the physical and mental toughness of the five-set encounter, emphasizing his efforts to strengthen his mental resilience in recent weeks.
The mis-hit drop shot return at a critical moment in the fourth-set tiebreak turned in Medvedev’s favor, becoming a decisive factor in the match. The victory sets up a final clash with Jannik Sinner, who earlier surprised world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.
Medvedev, a 2021 U.S. Open champion, lost in the Australian Open final in 2021 and 2022. Sinner, on the other hand, is making his first appearance in a Grand Slam final. Medvedev holds a 6-3 record against Sinner in their past matchups, but Sinner has won their last three encounters. The Australian Open final promises an exciting battle between the seasoned Medvedev and the emerging talent of Sinner.
Be First to Comment