Daniil Medvedev Wears Down Hurkacz in Five-Set Thriller to Reach Australian Open Semifinals

Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev, a two-time Australian Open finalist, utilized his extensive Grand Slam experience to overcome Polish ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz and secure a spot in this year’s semi-finals.

In a gripping encounter, the third-seeded Medvedev triumphed over Hurkacz with a score of 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, marking his ninth major quarter-final appearance.

Medvedev, eyeing his second major title after claiming the 2021 US Open, demonstrated resilience and determination in a match that lasted just under four hours. He will face either Carlos Alcaraz or Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals on Friday.

Reflecting on the challenging match, Medvedev acknowledged his opponent’s strong performance, stating, “I feel a bit destroyed right now. He played good, I won’t be tough on myself. I just had to try and do whatever I could. If I lose, I lose, it’s OK.”

The encounter showcased a fascinating clash of styles, with Hurkacz’s powerful serving pitted against Medvedev’s exceptional return skills. After an early break by Medvedev in the opening set, Hurkacz rallied back, leading to a closely contested tie-break that the Russian ultimately secured.

As the Melbourne heat persisted, Medvedev faced a dip in form in the second set, allowing Hurkacz to level the match. However, the Russian rebounded strongly in the third set, breaking confidently to regain the lead.

Entering the fourth set with a break advantage, Medvedev appeared poised for victory. Yet, Hurkacz staged a remarkable comeback, winning five of the next six games to force a decider, much to the delight of the Polish fans in attendance.

The final set unfolded with both players holding serve until Medvedev’s strategic play earned him a crucial break. Facing challenges, including a break point at 4-3, Medvedev sealed the victory with a well-executed drop shot on his first match point.

Report By BBC Sports