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Daniil Medvedev staged a remarkable comeback to overcome Alexander Zverev in a gripping Australian Open 2024's semifinal, winning 5-7, 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(5), 6-3 on January 26. Riding on this win Medvedev has set up a showdown in the Australian Open final. The third seed, in pursuit of his second Grand Slam title, bounced back from consecutive final losses at Melbourne Park against Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in 2021 and 2022. Medvedev, the former U.S. Open champion, is aiming for a victorious third attempt as he faces off against Italy's rising star Jannik Sinner on Sunday.
The Russian player adapted his strategy by staying deep behind the baseline, neutralizing Zverev’s powerful serves and elongating the points. Despite struggling with early double faults and falling behind, Medvedev managed to recover from a two-break deficit to even the score at 5-5.
Zverev regained the lead and, after clinching the first set with an impressive backhand volley, he celebrated to resounding applause. This followed a grueling 51-shot rally that set up the winning point.
The 26-year-old began to approach the net more frequently and secured a break to take a 3-2 lead in the second set, which he eventually won. However, Medvedev, looking as though he had endured a marathon, refused to concede. He rallied to narrowly claim the third set in a tiebreak.
In the high-pressure fourth set, 27-year-old Medvedev remained determined, overcoming a double fault in the tiebreak to even the match. He then made a crucial break in the fifth game of the final set, paving the way for his remarkable comeback.
"First set honestly I think we both didn't play that good," Medvedev said after the match.
"The second set I thought I played a bit better than the first set. He played very well, 6-3, two breaks, I didn't have chances on his serve. I was a little bit lost but during the third set I said if I was going to lose this match I was going to be proud of myself. I want to fight until the end and if I lose I lose and I managed to win and I am very proud," he added.
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