Australian Open 2024: How a ‘drained’ Daniil Medvedev switched on ‘aggressive’ mode to beat Alexander Zverev in semi-final

Daniil Medvedev stated he needed to take the “aggressive” route as he was operating out of gasoline in his Australian Open 2024 semi-final in opposition to Alexander Zverev. On Friday, January 26, Medvedev bounced again from 2 units all the way down to beat his German opponent 5-7, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 on the Rod Laver Area.

Medvedev fought arduous for 4 hours and 18 minutes earlier than he ultimately got here up trumps. It was additionally the second occasion of Medvedev making a comeback after dropping 2 units within the ongoing arduous court docket main.

Within the second spherical, Medvedev needed to play out of skins to beat Emil Ruusuvuori 3-6, 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 7-6 (7-1), 6-0.

Throughout his match in opposition to Zverev, Medvedev needed to play lengthy rallies and he felt the warmth. Within the first set, the duo had been concerned in a 51-shot rally and the lengthy rallies continued even within the subsequent units.

“I used to be a little bit bit misplaced however then within the third set I stored saying to myself, ‘if I lose this match then I wish to be happy with myself’. If I lose, I lose, however I gained so I’m very proud,” Medvedev stated after the match.

“Within the third set I felt like I used to be drained bodily. I knew I couldn’t run for 40 pictures like within the first set, so I stated ‘let’s get extra aggressive’,” he said.

‘Immediately was my day’

Together with his backs in opposition to the wall, Medvedev held on to his probabilities by successful the tie-breakers within the third and fourth units. Within the fifth and ultimate set, Medvedev earned a service break to edge previous Zverev, who went into the match excessive on confidence after beating 2-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.

“I began to serve higher after which at five-all within the (fourth-set) tiebreak I acquired a little bit fortunate – the slice was intentional however the drop shot (return) with backspin into the wind â€æ was not. Generally you get fortunate, and in the present day was my day,” Medvedev added.

Medvedev will subsequent be up in opposition to Jannik Sinner, who knocked World No.1 Novak Djokovic, additionally ending his 33-match successful streak at Melbourne Park.