Daniil Medvedev will face Jannik Sinner in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday in Melbourne. The Russian joined the Italian, who defeated Novak Djokovic in the first semi-final, by toppling Alexander Zverev 5-7 3-6 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 after 4:18 ‘ game.
Medvedev won the right to challenge Sinner on Sunday. He thus found himself three points from defeat against Zverev at 4/4 in the tie-break of the third set, then two points from elimination at 4/5 in the deciding game of the third set.
But Zverev, as is often the case, failed to seize his chance. And it seemed to choose its side at 5/5 in the tie-break of the fourth set, when Medvedev managed an improbable winning cushioned return to offer himself a set point. The tide had definitely turned.
The Russian in fact dominated the proceedings in the fifth set, during which he only lost five points on his serve and did not have to face the slightest break point. Dropped by his forehand, Alexander Zverev ended up breaking down by conceding his serve twice in this decisive set.
A 6th Grand Slam final for the Russian
This is already the sixth time that Medvedev has reached the final of a Grand Slam tournament. The Muscovite has only one major title to his name, acquired in New York in 2021 where he defeated a paralyzed Novak Djokovic in the final while the Serbian was aiming for the calendar Grand Slam.
Medvedev does not, however, have to be ashamed of his four failures recorded at this stage of the competition in a Major. He twice suffered the law of Novak Djokovic (Melbourne 2021, New York 2023), also losing twice to Rafael Nadal (New York 2019, Melbourne 2022).
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