Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev, seeded No. 3, mounted a dramatic comeback to reach the Australian Open final in Melbourne. He will face Germany’s Alexander Zverev, the No. 6 seed, after a grueling four-set semifinal that stretched to four hours and 18 minutes. This marks Medvedev’s third final at this Grand Slam event against Italy’s Jannik Sinner, who sits as the fourth seed in Melbourne.
The Open Era tally grew for Medvedev as he became the thirteenth player to reach the final for the third time in this major, joining a select group of players known for late-set rallies. He has produced four two-set comebacks in this tournament alone, three of which occurred this year and two in this edition. Earlier rounds showcased his resilience as well, including a second-round turnaround against Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori. Medvedev previously pulled off similar escapes against Croatia’s Marin Cilic at Wimbledon in 2021 and against Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in the 2022 Australian Open quarterfinals.
“Neither of us played at peak level early on,” Medvedev said, smiling after the match. “I found a response in the second set, then pushed hard in the third. I wanted to finish strong and be proud of myself.” After the dramatic finish, he even asked for quiet in a portion of the arena that had briefly jeered him during the match. That moment reflected the emotional mix that underscored the night’s drama.
The moment captured the uncertainty and grit of a high-stakes contest, with fans calling out plays as momentum swung wildly. Medvedev’s celebrations highlighted how the match would be remembered for the comeback and the atmosphere at Rod Laver Arena.
It stands as a milestone moment for Medvedev, who is set to contest his sixth Grand Slam final. His previous major title came at the 2021 US Open, where he defeated Novak Djokovic in a thrilling championship clash in New York.
Both players carried extra fatigue into the semifinal after lengthy five-set battles en route to this point. Zverev, who battled through a tough quarterfinal against Carlos Alcaraz, left the court briefly after his win and returned with renewed resolve. Medvedev, after a demanding five-set victory over Hubert Hurkacz, affirmed his physical readiness during the post-match press conference, expressing confidence about his stamina for the final.
A tense exchange at the net and from the baseline
Height and power defined much of the serving game, as both players approach two meters tall. Zverev appeared the steadier server for stretches, though his effectiveness dipped compared with a standout performance earlier in the tournament, where his first-serve success climbed into the mid-80s. The opening set featured multiple breaks, turning it into a rollercoaster that thrilled the crowd. Zverev finally clinched the decisive moment with a clutch service game that included a long rally, totaling 51 points in the sequence from Medvedev’s side.
The Russian showed resilience in the second set, facing a breakthrough chance from Zverev and then fending off pressure as the German converted his fifth break opportunity at 3-2. Zverev did not relent, and Medvedev spent several minutes in the locker room preparing for a renewed push. The moment proved pivotal, as Medvedev emerged with sharper first-serve accuracy and regained momentum for a pivotal third-set comeback, sending the match toward a decisive fourth set. Medvedev captured the third-set tiebreak 7-4 to stay alive in the clash.
The fourth set followed a similar arc, with the tiebreak proving decisive once again. Zverev faced a late challenge at 5-4 in the tiebreak and could not finish it, allowing Medvedev to seal the victory at 7-5 in the final moments of the set.
Zverev shows visible strain
As the second set ended, Medvedev walked off to the locker room with a focused, determined look, while Zverev appeared visibly fatigued and emotional. The German displayed notable grit, but a string of unforced errors late in the match undermined his efforts. The tension on the court reflected the heaviness of the moment for both competitors, each fighting to conserve energy and maintain form. Medvedev’s resolve carried him through the crucial moments, and he held the advantage in the head-to-head tally, widening his lead with key wins in recent clashes.
Following the semifinal, Medvedev advanced to a final against the young Italian sensation Jannik Sinner. The two share a favorable head-to-head record for Medvedev, though Sinner has claimed recent victories in other high-stakes matches. The upcoming final is highly anticipated as Medvedev aims to capture another major title, while Sinner seeks to add a second Grand Slam trophy to his growing resume. Medvedev’s run to the final underscores his continued presence among tennis’s elite, with a track record that supports his status as a perennial Grand Slam contender (Australian Open Tournament Coverage).