“I feel like everyone is thinking the same right now,” Russia’s Daria Kasatkina posted on social media, just as her compatriot Daniil Medvedev defeated Alexander Zverev to complete one of the most unlikely comebacks at the Australian Open.
Zverev was just two points away from progressing to the final in Melbourne, but Medvedev stormed back from two sets down to snatch victory from his grasp. With it, he blocked any chance of Zverev being crowned tennis’s problematic new champion, as the German is due to face trial on domestic abuse charges this May.
While world No 13 Kasatkina appeared to revel in Zverev’s demise, tennis executives were undoubtedly feeling sweet relief, as it meant avoiding a potentially awkward photo call at Sunday’s trophy ceremony.
Zverev’s stellar run to the semi-final has contrasted with the news, which broke last week, that he will face court proceedings this spring back in Germany, over allegations of domestic abuse which he firmly denies.
With every match he won in Melbourne, it raised questions about the ATP’s slow progress on a domestic violence policy which they first began consulting on in 2021 but has yet to materialise. A chance of him clinching one of the sport’s most prestigious titles would only add fuel to that fire.
But Medvedev put an end to those concerns – for now – and his thoughts post-match were more likely focused on how on earth he had dug his way out of the deepest of holes. But champions rise to the occasion, and former US Open winner Medvedev did just that.
After being dominated by Zverev for the best part of three sets, Medvedev somehow found the energy to lift his level and throw his opponent off course to win 5-7 3-6 7-6 7-6 6-3. “Sometimes you need to be lucky, and today was my day,” Medvedev put it simply, after his mammoth effort.
Zverev was superb for three sets in Melbourne
Credit: Getty Images/Shi Tang
This was the second time in Zverev’s career that he has lost after taking a two-set lead. The first time was at the US Open final, and this loss will sting almost as much.
Afterwards he blamed a pre-match illness and his physical condition with letting him down, and said the questions surrounding his upcoming trial had not impacted his focus in Melbourne. “No, because I have said it before: Anyone who has a semi-decent IQ level understands what’s going on,” he told reporters. “I hope that most of you guys do. I’m fine with it.”
For Medvedev, this was a redemption of sorts, as two years ago he infamously blew a two-set lead in the final in Melbourne, losing to a resurgent Rafael Nadal. He later said his dreams died on Rod Laver Arena, but they were very much revived on Friday night as he reached the sixth major final of his career.
It was just the third time – and second time this tournament – Medvedev had recovered from going two sets down. At this stage of a major and against this calibre of opponent – the world No 6 – it was just about the most unlikely win he had ever pulled off. Not since Marcos Baghdatis in 2006 had a man come back from a two-set deficit to win a semi-final in Melbourne.
It is safe to say that third seed Medvedev has firmly wormed his way into Zverev’s head. This was their 19th meeting on tour, but their first at a major event. Medvedev leads the head-to-head 12-7 now, and has won six of their last seven matches.
Fortune favours the brave, and luck was on Medvedev’s racket when he shanked a return at 5-5 in the fourth set tiebreak, only to see the ball float over the net like an audaciously well-executed drop shot. Zverev could hardly believe it, but Medvedev’s cool ace on the next point pushed this dramatic match to five sets and that proved to be the moment that broke Zverev’s spirit.
There had been tension between the pair during the match. As is his way, Medvedev used a few dark arts – including asking to watch a replay of a call late in the third set, in an attempt to hinder Zverev’s rhythm. Zverev had mostly dealt with it well, but after Medvedev evened the match up at 2-2 the German’s resolve crumbled.
As the match went into its fifth hour, Medvedev finally took the lead. Zverev had his first horrible service game, sending an easy volley wide, and hacked the net with his racket. He received a warning for his conduct, and Medvedev broke him a couple of points later. The match was on his racket finally, and Medvedev would not let his opportunity slip.
The turnaround was all the more remarkable as, for nearly three sets, Zverev had been firmly in control. “If your drop shot isn’t perfect, I’m going to win the tournament,” Medvedev had warned earlier this week and, as the Russian stood near the back of the Rod Laver Arena to receive, Zverev seemed to take those words as a direct challenge.
Medvedev played mesmerising tennis in the closing three set to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat
Credit: Getty Images/Cameron Spencer
His sublime net play destroyed Medvedev’s defensive game plan, and put him on course to reach his second ever major final. These men are usually players that grind down opponents from the baseline, but Zverev did not want Medvedev to get comfortable at the back of the court. He charged to the net 75 times and won nearly 75 per cent of those points, but he wavered in that tactic as the match went on.
Meanwhile, Medvedev went from looking leggy in the early stages to growing into form. They had both spent more than 16 hours on court throughout the gruelling previous rounds at this tournament, but he only got better as the match wore on.
As a man with experience of winning a grand slam event, Medvedev is now the favourite as he heads into Sunday’s final against rookie Jannik Sinner. Spending 20 hours and 33 minutes on court so far this fortnight might impact Medvedev’s ability to compete. On Friday’s evidence though, Sinner will have to throw the kitchen sink at him.