In a grueling battle on Jan 24, Daniil Medvedev, the two-time Australian Open runner-up, fought past the formidable Hubert Hurkacz to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Exhausted from the physically demanding match, Medvedev acknowledged that the contest had taken a toll on him.
Ranked as the world No. 3, Medvedev faced the Polish ninth seed, overcoming him in a challenging encounter lasting almost four hours on Rod Laver Arena. The Russian triumphed with a scoreline of 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. His opponent's powerful serves and the draining heat added to the intensity of the match.
Having reached his 100th Grand Slam match, the 27-year-old Russian advanced to his eighth major semi-final. Despite this, he has only clinched one Grand Slam title, which came at the 2021 US Open. Medvedev had previously reached the finals in Melbourne in 2021 and 2022 but fell short against Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
Expressing his physical fatigue, Medvedev disclosed, "I am so destroyed right now." He recounted facing a dwindling concentration in the fourth set but resolved to give his best effort. The Russian saved 10 of the 15 break points he faced, showcasing resilience throughout the match.
Reflecting on his victory, Medvedev acknowledged the challenge posed by Hurkacz, known for his powerful serves. Medvedev, recognized as one of the game's top deep-court returners, took an aggressive stance from the beginning, breaking his opponent immediately.
Hurkacz managed to level the first set, but a tiebreak proved costly for him due to unforced errors. The Polish player bounced back in the second set, breaking Medvedev twice to even the match. However, a crucial double fault in the third set gave Medvedev the advantage.
The match remained tightly contested, with Medvedev securing an early break in the fourth set but faltering on serve. The deciding set saw a pivotal moment at 3-3 when Hurkacz's backhand error provided Medvedev with the crucial break he needed.
In a unique finish, Medvedev secured his spot in the semi-finals with a delicate drop shot on match point. Despite the physical and mental challenges, he expressed satisfaction with the victory. The Russian will now face either Carlos Alcaraz or Alexander Zverev for a chance to reach the final on Jan 28.
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