Thank you very much for joining me this morning. Here is Jonathan Howcroft’s report.
Some fuller quotes from Medvedev’s chat on court after the match: “(It was) definitely not easy. (Tsitsipas’) match with Rafa was kind of the same score in the first two sets. Third set Rafa was dominating so I got a little bit scared and tight because it’s the semi-final of a slam.
“For us it’s not the 50th like for Novak or Roger (Federer) so it was not easy but I’m happy I managed to turn my game on, especially in some tough moments on my serve and really happy to be in the final.
“It’s him (Djokovic) who has all the pressure. I just hope that I’m going to get out there, show my best tennis. He has for sure more experience but more things to lose.”
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The moment things were done and dusted.
"Even the Greeks are applauding that!" 👏
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) February 19, 2021
Absolutely sensational from #AusOpen finalist Daniil Medvedev 😱 pic.twitter.com/uP13nDiSbL
A very downbeat Tsitsipas says in the press conference: “Everyone saw what happened out there.” Not the most compelling response to a question I have ever heard.
Stefanos Tsitsipas just said Medvedev's serve is like John Isner's. #toofar
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) February 19, 2021
Medvedev v Djokovic should be a cracking final on Sunday. Both players have got better as the tournament has gone on. I certainly think Medvedev can cause an upset in Melbourne, judging by his play today and throughout the competition.
Medvedev kept his cool for the majority of the match but did show his joy when things were almost done and dusted.
The Grand Slam final vibes are real for @DaniilMedwed 💯#AusOpen | #AO2021 pic.twitter.com/2c8M41A9Ly
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 19, 2021
Medvedev: “[It was] definitely not easy, it was like his match against Rafa. I got a little bit scared.
“I was happy I could turn my game on and win the match.
“I just try to hit aces and winner and keep the ball in the court.
“I managed to keep my nerve and I didn’t make too many bad choices.
“I saw as soon as I was moving him around the court, it was not easy for him.”
What a cracking performance and victory from Medvedev. He looked in full control for the majority of that match, apart from the odd wobble in the third set.. The crowd was against him, too, which made it more impressive.
Medvedev beats Tsitsipas in straight sets
Third set: Daniil Medvedev* 6-4 6-2 7-5 Stefanos Tsitsipas The first point goes to Tsitsipas as Medvedev goes for broke but smashes his forehand very long. Things are all level soon after and a volley from deep in the court puts Medvedev back in control. Tsitsipas cannot return a powerful serve down the middle to give the Russian match point. The job is done when Tsitsipas can only block a wicked backhand. GAME, SET AND MATCH MEDVEDEV.
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Third set: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-2 6-5 Stefanos Tsitsipas* A fine backhand from the back of court is volleyed wide by a stretching Tsitsipas and then the Greek sends a volley into the net from a return to make it 0-30. A stunning forehand from centre of the baseline bounces to Tsitsipas’ left to earn three break points. WHAT A SHOT TO WIN IT! Aggressive play from Tsitsipas looks to put him in control but Medvedev responds with an incredible backhand down the line to secure the break. The Russian will now serve for the match.
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Third set: Daniil Medvedev* 6-4 6-2 5-5 Stefanos Tsitsipas The Greek picks up the first point as Medvedev’s backhand finds the net. A forehand then flies wide from the Russian. Medvedev shows his mettle to level things and then move to 40-30 by pummelling the ball over the net to remove some frustration he might be feeling. The hold is completed as the serve is too hot for Tsitsipas.
Third set: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-2 4-5 Stefanos Tsitsipas* The most delicate of touches drops Tsitsipas’ volley just over the net and out of Medvedev’s reach. The Russian kisses the line with a return but his next one loops wide. A vicious forehand from the baseline makes things level at 30-30. A double fault from Tsitsipas takes us to deuce. The Greek and the crowd are not happy with that. Medvedev cannot return a powerful serve down the middle to give the advantage to Tsitsipas and he completes the job at the net.
Third set: Daniil Medvedev* 6-4 6-2 4-4 Stefanos Tsitsipas A straightforward rally finishes with a complete miscue into the crowd by Tsitsipas. An ace from the big Russian follows. The next serve is returned fantastically by Tsitsipas mid-air, forcing Medvedev into an error. The Russian then sends a pitiful volley into the net to make it 30-30. Another dreadful shot from Medvedev lands disastrously wide and gives Tsitsipas the chance of another break but an ace avoids that. The crowd are warned to calm down a bit before deuce. An ace earns advantage and a long return seals the hold.
Third set: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-2 3-4 Stefanos Tsitsipas* That was Tsitsipas’ first break. Can he build on it? He quickly moves to 30-0 after Medvedev volleys into the net. Tsitsipas is looking in fine form now, volleying at the net for 40-0. The set is won when Medvedev returns into the net.
Third set: Daniil Medvedev* 6-4 6-2 3-3 Stefanos Tsitsipas The Greek looks tired but he is giving his all here, picking up the first point after an energetic rally concludes with Medvedev flashing a shot wide. A weak backhand from Medvedev moves the score to 15-30, pleasing the crowd no end. Break point is gifted by a double fault, lifting the crowd. Tsitsipas is given a slight chance to win the game but his defensive shot loops wide but it does not matter as Medvedev then sends a forehand into the net.
Third set: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-2 3-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas* Medvedev picks moves to 0-30 but Tsitsipas quickly recovers to level things up. The Russian gets a break point but he misses his chance to take take it and we end up at deuce, only for Tsitsipas to needlessly flash one wide to gift advantage. An ace on the line takes up back to deuce. A huge smash from Tsitsipas earns him the advantage and he then proceeds to hold.
Third set: Daniil Medvedev* 6-4 6-2 3-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas There is no doubting that Tsitsipas looks tired, nor is it surprising following his mammoth encounter with Nadal. An ace kicks things off for Medvedev and a wide return gets him further ahead and he does not delay winning the game too much longer.
Third set: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-2 2-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas* A roar goes up as the Greek wins a point. A vicious serve is returned wide by Medvedev as Tsitsipas shows more aggression, quickly moving to 40-0. The Greek is at least on the board in this set as he completes the hold.
Third set: Daniil Medvedev* 6-4 6-2 2-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas A backhand into the net puts Tsitsipas further onto the back foot. A gleaming forehand from Medvedev into space puts him further on the front foot and things are wrapped up to love when Tsitsipas returns into the net.
Third set: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-2 1-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas* I guess it must be time for Tsitsipas to go for broke again. He was in the same position against Nadal before coming back, so there is some hope for him, but he does look very much second best here. Tsitsipas returns from the changing rooms with a new towel and a clean shirt. He must be optimistic he can take it further than three sets.
Medvedev starts the set with a crisp backhand down the line to take the first point and pick up where he left off. The Russian then lifts one wide to level matters. Another stunner from Medvedev, when all looked lost, sees him send a backhand cross court and beyond an outstretched Tsitsipas. A long forehand takes us to 30-30 but the Russian bounces back to earn break point with a cracking shot into open court. Another break is completed with a wild backhand from Tsitsipas. Is this done and dusted?
Medvedev wins second set
Second set: Daniil Medvedev* 6-4 6-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas Serving for the second set, Medvedev opens with an ace across Tsitsipas. A wide forehand from the Greek puts Medvedev in full control, not that he wasn’t before. We rapidly move to 40-0 and the second set is done and dusted with another ace.
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Second set: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 5-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas* Ooooof! Medvedev hits the shot of the day with a backhand down the line to earn the first point of the game. An extremely wide forehand from Tsitsipas goes well wide, leaving the Greek with it all to do. Another fine backhand from Medvedev defeats Tsitsipas. The break to love is completed when Medvedev’s return clips the net and lands safely.
Second set: Daniil Medvedev* 6-4 4-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas Not messing about from Medvedev as sends an assured forehand into space. Two acec move things forward quickly. The job is done for Medvedev tamely sends a backhand into the net.
Second set: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 3-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas* Can Tsitsipas bounce back? He starts well with a forehand into space but then follows it with a double fault. The water bottle will be pleased it is not within reach. From the baseline, with plenty of court to hit, Tsitsipas flings a forehand half a yard wide to make it 15:30 but then follows it with an ace. Medvedev returns the next serve long and a delicate chip at the net completes the job for Tsitsipas.
Second set: Daniil Medvedev* 6-4 3-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas In between games, a frustrated Tsitsipas throws his bottle to the floor, sending water everywhere and forcing a clean up. A warning from the umpire follows. Things get worse for the Greek as Medvedev takes the game to love with no fuss whatsoever.
Second set: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 2-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas* The Greek clips the top of the net, only to see the ball loop up and land in the tramlines. A volley into the net takes us to 15-30 but things are soon all level. Tsitsipas wildly sends a backhand very long to take the game to deuce. The Greek is definitely the one making more errors in the clash, which might end up costing him. There is no mistake from Tsitsipas as he leaps high in the air to smash an overhead volley into the ground for advantage. A vicious Tsitsipas backhand from the baseline after an impressive rally hits the net and goes wide. Back at deuce. Medvedev misses a chance by pinging a backhand just wide, only to make amends with a fine forehand into space. Medvedev takes advantage at the third time of asking. Break point is taken by Medevdev after he wins another longish rally with a delicious forehand.
Second set: Daniil Medvedev* 6-4 1-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas Medvedev is left frustrated as a shot goes millimetres out but he recovers with an ace. The Russian hits the same spot just the wrong side of the line for a second time in the game but gets back to 30:30. Tsitsipas miscues a backhand to send it very long, and Medvedev’s job is complete when the Greek replicates his error for the next point.
Second set: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 0-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas* Every Tsitsipas point is cheered by a crowd of Greeks, whereas Medvedev’s every shot earns a grown. A Tsitsipas smash into space takes the score to 30-15. A backhand from the Greek drifts just wide, much to his chagrin, to level things. He gets to game point with a delicate push over the net which Medvedev cannot react to. A dreadful forehand flies well wide to take us to deuce. Tsitsipas earns advantage as Medvedev sends a return extremely long and a volley at the net allows the Greek to hold.
Medvedev wins first set
First set: Daniil Medvedev* 6-4 Stefanos Tsitsipas Serving for the set, Medvedev begins with an ace down the middle but things are level following a limp backhand being sent long. A rapid rally ends with Tsitsipas sending the ball into the net from the baseline. We are taken to deuce when Medvedev lifts a shot very high and wide. He does, however, earn the advantage but throws it away with a double fault. An ace gets him back to square one and he closes out with a fine serve down the middle.
First set: Daniil Medvedev 5-4 Stefanos Tsitsipas* A return lands just long from Medvedev to make it 30-15, but the first double fault of the match levels things up. Tsitsipas will be very disappointed with that. Tsitsipas forces Medvedev to make a couple of journeys along the baseline before the Russian sends one long. Tsitsipas puts all his effort into a backhand, only to see it fly well wide to bring us to deuce. The advantage goes to Tsitsipas as he lifts a backhand into open court. A powerful serve is returned long to give Tsitsipas some hope of turning this set around.
First set: Daniil Medvedev* 5-3 Stefanos Tsitsipas The score reaches 15-15 when Tsitsipas stretches to return a serve but only succeeds in controlling the ball to the ground. An ace down the middle makes it 40-15 but he then whacks a forehand long to give Tsitsipas an opening. Medvedev rectifies his error, however, with a ripping forehand into the corner to give the Greek no chance and win the game.
First set: Daniil Medvedev 4-3 Stefanos Tsitsipas* He may have been struggling in the last couple of games but, boosted by the crowd noise, Tsitsipas flashes a forehand past Medvedev to start this one on a positive note. Alas, he then send pings a backhand long. The Greek diaspora of Melbourne lets out big cheers when Tsitsipas takes the next two points, though. A bigger roar goes up when Medvedev flings a backhand wide to conclude the game.
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First set: Daniil Medvedev* 4-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas I think Tsitsipas is rattled from losing his serve. The Russian is error-free while the Greek gifts the opening point of the game with a weak backhand heading wide, followed by one going long. Medvedev completes the hold with a wonderful ace down the middle.
First set: Daniil Medvedev 3-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas* Tsitsipas sends a powerful serve down the middle which Medvedev can only get an edge on to make it 30-0. Tsitsipas lets Medvedev back in with a couple of errors, the second a disappointing backhand which goes well wide. Medvedev then gets the first break point of the match, but a fine serve from Tsitsipas is looped into the net for deuce. Medvedev wants to put Tsitsipas on his backhand, with the Russian earning advantage thanks to a fine shot from the baseline into open court. The break is completed when the Greek sends one long.
First set: Daniil Medvedev* 2-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas A fine valley between the two sees both players move around the court with grace, ending with a fierce backhand into space by Medvedev. The Russian’s confidence grows as he wins the game to love.
First set: Daniil Medvedev 1-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas* The Greek comes to the net to volley the winner after pushing Medvedev onto his backhand at the back of the court. Medvedev is being moved around the baseline effectively, leaving his stroke play a little off. The game concludes with Medvedev returning a serve into the net.
First set: Daniil Medvedev* 1-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas Coming to the net to pummel a forehand gives Medvedev a positive start to his service game. It gets better when Tsitsipas top edges a return into the stands. Tsitsipas is showing plenty of aggression but that could be the cause of hitting a shot half a yard long to give Medvedev game point, which he duly wins.
First set: Daniil Medvedev 0-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas* The Greek opens up the match, and a laid back rally ensues, ending with him sending one long. Things are evened up when Medvedev sends a very low backhand into the net. Tsitsipas closes out the opening game with some powerful strokes which Medvedev miscues.
Ready to rumble.
The players are walking out onto court. Tsitsipas in his usual bright yellow shirt and head band, while Medvedev is sporting a more traditional white outfit.
We have also been treated to an explainer of how a gyros is made at a Greek restaurant prior to this mouthwatering clash.
Marcos Baghdatis is being interviewed on Eurosport. Behind him is a painting of himself eating a tennis ball, which is my kind of art.
It’s another lovely day in Melbourne. The weather looks very similar to London ... in a way.
Daniil Medvedev, who won the ATP Finals in London at the end of last year and went unbeaten through Russia’s ATP Cup triumph, needed treatment on his thigh after his quarter final. Will that impact him today?
He said: “I started cramping in my quad. I saw he was cramping also so I tried not to show it. But I couldn’t really move my left leg at the end.
“It was super tough, we had some unbelievable rallies. I think I’m one of the first players to make Andrey tired on court so I’m quite happy about it.
“To play my friend? It’s never easy but we’re all super competitive. It was one of the best matches I’ve played lately. To beat him in three sets without a tie-break, I’m very happy about that.”
What next for Serena Williams? Asks Tumaini Carayol
Good morning
After Novak Djokovic showed he is back to some of his best form on Thursday against Aslan Karatsev, today’s victor will know a very difficult task lies ahead against a man who has won the tournament eight times.
Tsitsipas came through in an incredible five-setter, having been two sets down, to beat Rafa Nadal in the last round. If the Greek wants to give himself a chance in a final, he will be hoping to get things done and dusted without adding too many more miles to the his legs. He has already gone the full distance twice in Melbourne, but that was slightly balanced out by a walkover in the fourth round.
Medvedev has pummelled his way to the penultimate stage, only needing more than three sets on one occasion to get this far, proving the form he is, making the Russian the favourite going into this. It should be cracking clash either way.
Let’s hope for a cracker!
