Medvedev beats Zverev; Title clash with Sinner

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Melbourne. Daniil Medvedev made a dramatic comeback by defeating Alexander Zverev 5-7, 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(5), 6-3 in the second semi-final at the Rod Laver Arena on Friday for the third time. Entered the finals of the Australian Open.

With his 27th match win at Melbourne Park, Medvedev is the 13th man in the Open era to reach the Australian Open final on three or more occasions, having lost in 2021 and 2022, when he led by two sets to Rafael Nadal.

The script initially favored Zverev, who took a 4-1 lead with a double break in the first set, which seemed to dictate the narrative. However, Medvedev, suffering the physical toll of grueling matches, refused to bow to German dominance.

The decisive moment came at 5-5, a turn where Medvedev, inspired by an indomitable spirit, fought back. A dramatic 51-shot rally ensued that took the crowd by surprise, but it was Zverev who won the set with a decisive winner.

As the second set began, Zverev continued his lead, gaining a break at 2–2 and consolidating his advantage to lead 4–2. Remaining steadfast in his aim, Zverev closed out the set with clinical precision, leaving Medvedev with a mountain to climb. Undeterred, the Russian took a strategic bathroom break at the end of the set, and emerged with a renewed vigor that belied the physical damage.

The third set turned out to be a thrilling battle, with both the players matching each other shot by shot. The set ended in a tie-break, a fitting conclusion to a battle based on parity. Medvedev, seemingly on the brink of a 3-1 defeat, took advantage of the moment when cracks in Zverev’s game appeared. With unwavering focus, he took advantage of his opponent’s errors and won the fourth set against all odds.

What ensued was a war of attrition, in which Medvedev adopted a relentless baseline grind that stifled Zverev’s momentum. The momentum had shifted, and the Russian maestro took control, allowing Zverev to lead 3–2. The tension increased as they reached another tie-break, where Medvedev, inspired by a remarkable forehand drop shot, held a set point and overcame Zverev to force a decider.

Now in dominance, Medvedev continued to dictate rallies, forcing errors from Zverev’s racquet. After a crucial break at 3-2, Medvedev’s 5-7, 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(5), 6-3 victory took him to his sixth Grand Slam final, adding to the formidable The stage was set for the showdown with Jannik Sinner.

–IANS

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