Australian Open: final! Medvedev too strong for Tsitsipas, now against Djokovic
Daniil Medvedev is in a Grand Slam final for the second time in his career. The Russian defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6: 4, 6: 2 and 7: 5 at the Australian Open 2021 and will meet Novak Djokovic on Sunday (from 09:30 live on ServusTV, Eurosport and in our live ticker) .
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Feb 19, 2021, 11:58 am
Daniil Medvedev has increased his winning streak to 20 matches in a row. The 25-year-old Russian won the semifinals of the Australian Open against Stefanos Tsitsipas 6: 4, 6: 2 and 7: 5 and will meet defending champion Novak Djokovic on Sunday. The Serb had already asserted himself in three sets in the first match of the semifinals against surprise man Aslan Karatsev on Thursday.
The Rod Laver Arena was more crowded than ever before during the first major of the year, and most of the fans were probably in the camp of Tsitsipas. The Greek community in Australia is large, Tsitsipas had inspired his supporters' fantasies with his comeback after a 2-0 set deficit against Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals. Medvedev was not impressed by this from the start. The reigning ATP world champion took his predecessor's serve to 3: 2 in the first set, then safely served to 6: 4.
Medvedev is behind Djokovic on the balance sheet
In the second half, Medvedev struck even earlier, underpinning his lead with the next break to 5: 2. Up to this point, Medvedev seemed inviolable when it came to his own service. Tsitsipas couldn't afford to fall behind again of course. But that's exactly what happened at the beginning of the third set when the Greek lost his serve again. Tsitsipas fended off two more break chances a few minutes later, avoiding a 1: 4 deficit. And was then able to write to Medvedev for the first time when serving.
Tsitsipas could have made it really exciting immediately afterwards, but Medvedev fended off a 30:40 with a strong serve. Instead, Medvedev got three breakballs in the eleventh game, used the second with a fantastic passing ball. Medvedev could no longer take that away. And took note of the victory without emotion as usual.
Medvedev is behind Djokovic in the internal record with 3: 4 wins. The Russian won the last encounter at the ATP Finals in London. In a Grand Slam tournament, the two final opponents met once on Sunday: In 2019, Novak Djokovic won the round of 16 against Medvedev in four sets.
For Daniil Medvedev the second Grand Slam final of his career is coming up, he lost the premiere in New York City 2019 in five sets against Nadal. Novak Djokovic is playing for his ninth title at the Australian Open and his 18th major triumph.
Here is the individual tableau at the Australian Open
laver arena