Medvedev beats his emotions, outlasts Tsitsipas to set up final against Nadal
Daniil Medvedev is all that stands between Rafael Nadal and a record-breaking 21st grand slam title after the world No. 2 Russian slugged his way to a compelling and at-times volatile four-set victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Medvedev, too, is also only one victory away from an achievement of note: his second career major and back-to-back major triumphs on hardcourts. The Russian was victorious 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Daniil Medvedev will meet Rafael Nadal in Sunday’s decider.Credit:Getty Images
Sunday night’s final is also the second time that 25-year-old Medvedev has had the chance to forge his way into tennis history.
Five months ago in New York he famously stopped Novak Djokovic from winning the grand slam, as well as denying the Serbian a 21st major title, after Medvedev showed the world his class in a clinical straight-sets victory over the world No. 1.
In two days time, Medvedev is poised to play a similar history-defining role.
“Yeah, I’m going to go up against one of the greatest,“Medvedev said on-court. “What’s funny is that again I’m going to play against someone going for the 21st slam.
“I guess last time Rafa was watching the TV. I don’t know who he was cheering for. But I think Novak will be watching this one in two days also.″
While Medvedev ran away with the victory, going two sets to one up and then racing through the fourth set, it was a dramatic tirade from the US Open champion directed towards chair umpire Jaume Campistol that, in some ways, overshadowed the contest.
An emotional Daniil Medvedev makes his feelings known to the chair umpire.Credit:Getty Images
Medvedev was concerned about some apparent on-court coaching from the Greek player’s box.
At one change of ends, Medvedev launched a barrage on the chair umpire. “Look at me! I’m talking to you!”, the animated Medvedev said.
He wanted a code violation for his opponent, but instead got one himself.
Later, in a separate exchange with the umpire, Medvedev called the official a “small cat”.
In the early stages of the fourth set, the umpire did issue a code violation warning to Tsitsipas.
Post-match, Medvedev expressed his regret for letting his emotions get the better of him, relieved to come away with victory in four sets.
The match was on tenterhooks early on despite some astonishing serving from the Russian.
Stefanos Tsitsipas hits out against Daniil Medvedev.Credit:Getty Images
Medvedev was in rare territory on serve to start the match, reeling off 22 straight points, whereas Tsitsipas, at times, battled to hold his own serve.
The streak ended for Medvedev, remarkably, in the 12th game, but it was only a momentary lapse, conceding just one more point on serve before the set was sent to a tiebreaker.
In the ’breaker, Tsitsipas got his nose in front and the Russian’s dominant serve work appeared in danger of being squandered. But momentum swung back, Medevedev got the mini-break back in the eighth point, breaking again four points later to seal the set after 47 minutes.
Tsitsipas fought back admirably to claim the second set. But once Medvedev, the superior player for most of the match, wrapped up the third set the task in front of the Greek appeared too much.
Medvedev closed out the win with a 24-minute final set.
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