Daniil Medvedev is into his third Australian Open final after defeating Alexander Zverev 5-7 3-6 7-6(4) 7-6(5) 6-3.
The world number three came back from two sets down to win in four hours and 22 minutes against Zverev.
Medvedev is now into his third Australian Open final after an incredible comeback.
Now Medvedev will face Jannik Sinner in the final after the Italian knocked out ten-time champion Novak Djokovic.
It was a poor start from Medvedev who looked like he had run out of energy as the third seed produced erratic errors.
Meanwhile Zverev was aggressive and proactive as the German cruised to an early double break lead as he went 4-1 up.
However Medvedev gradually grew in confidence from the baseline as produced some clinical forehands, testing Zverev’s patience on the backhand side.
After conceding one of the breaks back straight away, Zverev had the chance to serve out the opening set at 5-4.
The German lacked composure as Medvedev earned the break back with Zverev’s frustration growing.
In the end Zverev produced moments of real quality as he broke and closed out the opening set 7-5.
The onslaught from Zverev continued in the second set as he punished Medvedev’s short baseline shot as the German continued to approach the net.
More backhand winners followed as Zverev created seven break points to Medvedev’s zero.
Zverev converted two of them as the sixth seed opened up a two set lead with Medvedev looking flat.
A resolute Medvedev was determined not to give up and started serving more consistently in the third set as he upped the level of aggression.
Not only on serve but return Medvedev proved to be consistently strong as Zverev’s level dropped.
Three break points were created as the rallies continued to get longer with the German being the one to commit the errors.
Clutch serving and aggressive play saw Zverev save the break points to force a third set tiebreak.
Medvedev always had control of the tiebreak as the German struggled to test the world number three’s baseline game.
The third seed took the tiebreak 7-4 which elevated the comeback to new heights as Medvedev was starting to secure holds to love.
More break points were created in the fourth set but a resolute Zverev failed to break down as another tiebreak would be incoming.
This time it was Zverev who was in control as a double fault from Medvedev handed the German a mini-break lead at 5-4.
But then the tide would swiftly turned as a chipped drop-shot return winner saw Medvedev win the next point and the next two points after that.
An ace sealed the tiebreak 7-5 as Zverev’s frustrations grew into the fifth set.
Easy volleys were missed and time was running out for the German to turn the wave of momentum.
Two breaks of serve in the fifth and ninth games saw Medvedev’s momentum crush Zverev’s Australian Open dreams.
After the match Medvedev said he is proud to reach the final and admitted he will be the happiest man on the planet if he wins on Sunday, “At that point it was tough because first set, honestly I don’t think we played very good,” Medvedev was quoted by the BBC as saying.
“Second set he played very well and I don’t have chances. I was a little bit lost but in the third set I was telling myself if I lose this match I just want to be proud of myself and fight to the end and fight for every point.
“I managed to win and I’m very proud. First of all we say third time lucky so let’s see. I can say from experience it doesn’t always work but hopefully in Australia they have this phrase.
“It will mean a lot because this court is not my best court in terms of my performance and self-esteem and that’s why I have had to dig deep. I will be the happiest man on the planet (if I win) but I will have to play pretty well and win three sets on Sunday.”
Now Medvedev will be in his third Australian Open final where he will face Jannik Sinner.
Currently Medvedev leads the head-to-head 6-3.
