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World no. 3 Danill Medvedev is seeking a spot in his third Australian Open final, surviving a couple of challenging encounters and entering the last four. Daniil will face his old rival Alexander Zverev in the semi-final, hoping to extend his good run against the German and remain on the title course.
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are in the second semi-final, and Medvedev honestly reflected on that thrilling clash. The Russian is not sure against whom he would like to play if he reaches the final, praising both rivals and labeling them as dangerous.
Daniil is sure about one thing. He would love to see a real marathon between Djokovic and Sinner that would go on until 30-28 in the deciding tie break, with the struggle terminating after seven and a half hours and making the winner tired!
Medvedev is aware of Djokovic's incredible Australian Open record after entering the semi-final, with the Serb never losing a match after passing the quarter-final stage.
On the other hand, Jannik has been playing the tennis of his life in the last couple of months, beating Novak two times in a row last year and moving into the Australian Open semi-final without dropping a set. Novak raised his level after battling with a minor virus for a couple of days in Melbourne.
The Serb played better in rounds three and four, setting the clash against Taylor Fritz. They battled during the day session, and Djokovic notched a 7-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory in three hours and 45 minutes! Novak had to dig deep in the opening two sets, squandering no less than 15 break points and allowing Taylor to lock the overall score after two hours and 33 minutes!
However, Fritz finally slowed down behind the initial shot from the third set, getting broken four times and finishing his great run in the quarter-final. The veteran preserved energy ahead of the third set, securing an early break and delivering another at 5-2 with a backhand winner to open two sets to one advantage.
Djokovic stole Fritz's serve two times in a row in the fourth set, breaking the rival's resistance and sailing into his 11th Australian Open semi-final. Novak will face a formidable opponent in Jannik Sinner, with the Italian reaching the semi-final stage without losing a set!
Daniil Medvedev joked about Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner duel.
An in-form youngster knows how to battle against world no. 1, feeling ready for the ultimate test at Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic's blessed ground.
Sinner met fellow top-10 player Andrey Rublev in the quarter-final, beating the Russian 6-4, 7-6, 6-3 in two hours and 39 minutes. Andrey had his chances in the second set, leading 5-1 in the tie break before Jannik turned the tables and stole the breaker for a massive two sets to love lead.
The Italian sealed the deal in the third, remaining on the title course and hoping for another strong performance on Friday. Sinner tamed his strokes nicely and pushed the rival's second serve to the limits, delivering two breaks and fending off all eight break chances.
They hit the ball with an astonishing pace, and the younger player built the advantage in the shortest range up to four strokes. Jannik saved two break points at 1-2 in the opener and held with an ace to avoid an early setback.
The Russian sprayed two forehand errors in the next game, falling 3-2 behind and sending his rival in front. Sinner served well in games six and eight, moving 5-3 up and wishing for more at 5-4. Jannik held at love with a booming serve, securing the first set in 37 minutes.
The second set saw nine break points, all wasted, as they battled for 80 minutes. Neither player could deliver a break, and Rublev survived two break points at 4-4 to remain in touch. They served well in the remaining three games and entered a tie break.
Andrey fired a couple of powerful forehands for 5-1, looking good to level the overall score. However, Jannik stepped in and showed his mental strength.
The Italian erased the deficit and landed a volley winner for a 6-5 and a set point. The Russian sprayed a backhand error in the 12th point, falling two sets to love behind and showing frustration. Jannik denied break points at 1-1 in the third set with winners and served well by the end of the set.
Andrey squandered a 40-15 lead in the sixth game and faced issues. The Italian cracked a forehand down the line winner, securing a pivotal break and moving closer to the finish line. The 4th seed landed another forehand winner for 5-2 and repeated that while serving for the victory at 5-3, setting the semi-final clash with Novak Djokovic.
"Novak has never lost the Australian Open match at this stage. On the other hand, Jannik's level is so good, reaching the semi-final without losing a set and overcoming a 5-1 deficit in the tie break against Andrey. Honestly, I can not pick against whom I would want to compete in the final.
I want Novak and Jannik to battle for seven and a half hours and play until 30-28 in the deciding tie break. Maybe the winner would be a bit tired on Sunday," Daniil Medvedev said.