Destroyed’ Medvedev Overcomes Hurkacz to Reach Australian Open Semi-Finals

Destroyed’ Medvedev Overcomes Hurkacz to Reach Australian Open Semi-Finals

Melbourne (AFP) – Third-ranked Daniil Medvedev battled past the powerful Hubert Hurkacz to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Wednesday. The Russian, a two-time runner-up at the tournament, admitted that the physically demanding match had “destroyed” him.

In a grueling encounter lasting almost four hours in scorching heat on Rod Laver Arena, Medvedev outlasted the Polish ninth seed, winning 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. This victory brings him closer to potentially clinching his second Grand Slam title.

Medvedev will now face either Spanish second seed Carlos Alcaraz or German sixth seed Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals, with a chance to compete in Sunday’s final.

This marks Medvedev’s eighth major semi-final in his 100th Grand Slam match. He previously won his first Grand Slam title at the 2021 US Open. In Melbourne, he reached the final in 2021 and 2022 but fell short against Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, respectively.

Reflecting on his physical state following the grueling match, Medvedev admitted, “I am so destroyed right now.” He mentioned feeling the toll on his body as early as the end of the second set but emphasized the importance of staying mentally tough. Despite his fatigue, he managed to secure the victory, and he expressed his satisfaction with his performance.

The match showcased Medvedev’s ability to counter big-serving opponents with his excellent deep-court returns. He took an attacking approach from the beginning and secured an early break. Hurkacz, however, found his rhythm and leveled the set with a backhand winner from the baseline. The tight contest led to a tiebreak, where mistakes from Hurkacz proved costly.

In the second set, Hurkacz rallied back, breaking Medvedev’s serve twice to even the match. A double fault from the Polish player in the third set gave Medvedev an advantage once again. Despite some hiccups on his serve in the fourth set, Medvedev maintained his composure.

The crucial moment of the match occurred in the fifth set, with Hurkacz serving at 3-3. A backhand error from Hurkacz offered Medvedev the break he needed to secure the win.

Medvedev’s triumph sets the stage for an exciting semi-final clash as he continues his pursuit of Grand Slam glory in Melbourne.