Australian Open: Medvedev stuns Zverev in five-setter to book final with Sinner
The Russian had lost the first two sets and was on the verge of getting knocked out
Daniil Medvedev stunned Alexander Zverev 5-7, 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(5), 6-3 in the Australian Open 2024 semi-final at the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, on Friday.
Medvedev, world number three, will now take Jannik Sinner in the final on January 28 where he will aim for his first Australian Open, and second Grand Slam overall.
The Russian came back from two sets to zero, showing his unbelievable mental strength as he cruised to his sixth Grand Slam and third Aus Open final.
He came from two sets behind for the second time in the tournament. The Russian played his third five-setter at the ongoing slam and now one final test awaits against Sinner, who dominated Novak Djokovic in the first semi-final.
Sinner and Medvedev will meet each other for the 10th time overall, although the Russian leads the head-to-head 6-3, the Italian won their last three meetings.
Currently ranked world number four, Sinner became the first player to beat Djokovic at Melbourne Park in six years and has only lost one set throughout the entire campaign.
Opening up after the match, Medvedev was asked what changes did he make when he was two sets down to which the 27-year-old replied he told himself to be more aggressive.
"At one moment in the third set, I felt tired physically. Looking at him, I didn’t feel it. I actually could not run anymore for 40 rallies like we did in the first set,” Medvedev said.
“So I was like ‘Okay, let’s go more aggressive. If it doesn’t work out, I tried.’ I tried what I thought would work. It started working. I started to serve much better. That tiebreak was pretty unbelievable. A little bit lucky on 5 all return. But that’s tennis.”
The remaining schedule of the Australian Open
January 27 — Women’s singles final: Aryna Sabalenka vs Qinwen Zheng
January 28 — Men’s singles final: Daniil Medvedev vs Jannik Sinner
