Daniil Medvedev is into his second consecutive Australian Open Final after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6(5) 4-6 6-4 6-1.
The Russian’s defence was too much for Tsitsipas’ attack as the US Open champion overcame his nemesis in four sets.
Despite a rant in the second set over coaching from the Tsitsipas camp, the Russian regained his composure to book his place in the final.
Medvedev will play 20-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s showpiece event.
Both players started the match strongly as they created effective and aggressive tennis early on.
Tsitsipas kept the rallies short with great use of angles and depth while Medvedev counter-punched well using consistency to trouble the Greek’s defensive work.
Only two points were dropped by the server in the opening eight games and it was Medvedev who struck first in terms of returning aggression and consistency as he had three break points in the ninth game.
However Tsitsipas remained firm using big forehands and movement into the net to overcome the early test for a 5-4 lead.
Tsitsipas carried the momentum into the first set tiebreak as he opened the court up nicely to take an early mini-break lead.
But Medvedev’s defence rushed the Tsitsipas attack and the Russian clawed his way back taking the tiebreak 7-5 with a missed Tsitsipas forehand.
That didn’t hinder Tsitsipas though as he remained aggressive early in the second set to break Medvedev in the opening game of the second set.
The Greek’s improved mental stamina was there to see as he ramped up the pressure on serve with Medvedev not creating too many opportunities.
When the Russian did create opportunities he was clinical though as more unforced errors from the world number four on big points sealed the break back for 3-3.
Eventually Tsitsipas would come roaring back later in the set as his powerful consistency would triumph and he broke for a 5-4 lead.
That’s when Medvedev started to fume to the umpire about Tsitsipas’ dad coaching and questioning the umpire’s integrity.
Tsitsipas remained cool, calm and collected as he overcame some Medvedev return resistance to hold and take the second set 6-4.
Medvedev would continue his arguments when walking off the court as he looked to regroup ahead the third set.
The Russian’s early fortitude and resolve was put into action as he saved two break points to open the set.
Tsitsipas looked the most likely to break but the Greek couldn’t be aggressive on the big points and outsmart the Russian when it really mattered.
The 4th seed’s lack of clinical edge would go punished as Medvedev moved through the gears and produced a stunning return game in the tenth game to break and take a 2 set to 1 lead.
From then on it was all about the Russian as he tired out the Greek into errors, opening up the court and firing winners.
Two consecutive breaks sealed the Russian’s path to a second consecutive Australian Open final and a fourth grand slam final in total.
After the match Medvedev admitted energy levels were crucial today, “I managed to re-concentrate and pulled out some serves and that got me back into the match,” Medvedev said in his on-court interview.
“I tried my best and I’m happy it worked. A few moments I maybe missed some balls, he missed a few and then in the third I just found some momentum and make some very important passing shots. His energy was going down and my energy was going only up.”
Medvedev will play the same player he played in his first grand slam final and that is Rafael Nadal. On that occasion Nadal won in five sets to lift the 2019 US Open title.
Nadal will be aiming for a record-breaking 21st grand slam title while Medvedev will look to win his second consecutive grand slam on Sunday.
