And here is Kevin Mitchell’s report from Melbourne
That’s all from me today. We’ll be back with more coverage tomorrow, with Rafael Nadal’s quarter-final against Frances Tiafoe the main event. Thanks for reading. Bye.
It will be interesting to see how Novak Djokovic is feeling after that heavy fall in the third set - but the good news for him is his quarter-final opponent is Kei Nishikori, who must be knackered after a controversial 6-7, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6 win over Pablo Carreno Busta. “Hopefully we will both be fit for that one,” Djokovic says.
Novak Djokovic applauds Medvedev off and then heads for an on-court interview: “Since my next opponent is watching I feel fantastic. I have never felt fresher in my life. Definitely it was a physical battle. Daniil has been playing some really good tennis. Big serve, a good backhand, he doesn’t make many errors. It was difficult to go through him. I just had to find a different way. I was fortunate to save a couple of break points. I was 0-40, 1-2 in the third set, so that was a crucial hold.”
Novak Djokovic beats Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3!
Still fuming, Medvedev is serving to stay in the match. He drops the first point, then lifts a forehand wide for 0-30. Djokovic doesn’t need any encouragement - he earns three match points with a winning backhand return. He can’t take the first, though, sending a backhand return long. Medvedev saves the second with a backhand into the open court. Not the third, though. An inside-out forehand from Djokovic is too good. It’s all over. The pair meet at the net and have a good-natured chat about an entertaining match.
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Fourth set: Djokovic* 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, 5-3 Medvedev (*denotes server): Medvedev is starting to wallop the ball again and a huge forehand takes the game to deuce. But he flings his racket to the ground after losing the next point. The umpire’s unimpressed. Medvedev nets on the next point and does it again, which is enough to earn him a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Fourth set: Djokovic 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, 4-3 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Medvedev helps himself to an easy hold. He’s not ready to fold yet.
Fourth set: Djokovic* 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, 4-2 Medvedev (*denotes server): Just when it seems that nothing’s happening, Medvedev clambers back from 40-15, volleying well to force deuce. The Russian perks up and earns a break point. Djokovic repels him with a crisp backhand. He holds, disappointing Medvedev again.
Fourth set: Djokovic 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, 3-2 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Medvedev holds as Djokovic’s concentration dips.
Fourth set: Djokovic* 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, 3-1 Medvedev (*denotes server): Despite a couple of scratchy shots, Djokovic holds to 30, consolidating the break.
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Fourth set: Djokovic 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, 2-1 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Djokovic really wants to get this done as quickly as possible. He carves out a break point. Medvedev claims a Djokovic shot was long, but he doesn’t look sure. In fact he’s already walking back to his chair. Maybe he just wanted to sit down, because the ball caught the line. Djokovic breaks and Medvedev has called for the physio.
Fourth set: Djokovic* 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, 1-1 Medvedev (*denotes server): Djokovic is irritable after making a couple of errors to gift Medvedev a 0-30 lead. He fights back to 30-all, but another error gives Medvedev a break point. Djokovic raises his intensity and overpowers Medvedev. He holds.
Fourth set: Djokovic 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, 0-1 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Medvedev starts in the right manner here, holding to love. Can he regain some energy?
Novak Djokovic wins the third set 6-2; he leads 6-4, 6-7, 6-2!
Djokovic bangs down an ace to earn two set points. He takes the first with a polished forehand. It seems the potential wobble is well and truly over.
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Third set: Djokovic 6-4, 6-7, 5-2 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Djokovic, wearing his opponent down, makes it 0-15 when Medvedev nets a backhand. Then he makes it 0-30 with a vicious forehand. Maybe he should fall over more often. It seems to work for him. Medvedev is all over the place now, netting a backhand to make it 0-40. He saves the first two break points, but he’s sore at the moment. Djokovic makes him run and extracts the error, a forehand going long, to break again.
Third set: Djokovic* 6-4, 6-7, 4-2 Medvedev (*denotes server): Djokovic consolidates the break. Medvedev looks weary now.
Third set: Djokovic 6-4, 6-7, 3-2 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Djokovic is grimacing a bit at the start of this game, but he hasn’t asked for the trainer yet. He’s trying to show no weakness. You think back to the 2015 final, when he fooled Andy Murray into thinking he was struggling with an injury, and realise Medvedev needs to stay focused here. A double-fault for 15-30 is a bad sign. At 30-all Djokovic crashes a forehand pass beyond Medvedev for a break point. But when Djokovic nets a backhand slice, he’s doubled over for a moment or two. Medvedev bangs down an ace, but Djokovic pulls it back to deuce and earns another break point with some outrageous hitting. Djokovic enters wall mode - and Medvedev flings a forehand wide. If Djokovic is hurting he’s hiding it well.
Third set: Djokovic* 6-4, 6-7, 2-2 Medvedev (*denotes server): There’s a worrying moment when Djokovic moves to the net and slips heavily after being wrongfooted by a Medvedev backhand pass. Is he hurt? He gets back to his feet, a little gingerly, but when he returns to his chair it’s only to get a new racket. He looks seriously hacked off. Medvedev realises this is an opening, especially when Djokovic nets a backhand. Djokovic serves wide. Medvedev replies with a surprise squash shot and Djokovic nets forehand for 0-40. Three break points. Crucial moments. Djokovic saves the first two; it looked like Medvedev had him on the first, only to net a backhand. The third chance goes begging as well, though that’s down to Djokovic’s brilliance, a forehand down the line forcing deuce. Djokovic holds in the end. That could be a big game.
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Third set: Djokovic 6-4, 6-7, 1-2 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Djokovic doesn’t look quite right at the moment. He’s making a lot of silly errors. Medvedev looks to capitalise at 30-all, smacking a forehand to break the Serb’s defences down. But the game goes to deuce. Another slugfest ensues, both men smashing the ball with venomous intent - but it’s Djokovic who blinks first again. Medvedev holds from there.
Third set: Djokovic* 6-4, 6-7, 1-1 Medvedev (*denotes server): Djokovic holds to 30.
Third set: Djokovic 6-4, 6-7, 0-1 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Medvedev, remember, was 4-1 down in that second set and almost went 5-1 down. It was some turnaround. But he can’t let his level dip against this guy. He has to keep pummelling those groundstrokes. He finds his serve here and holds to 15.
Daniil Medvedev wins the second 7-6 to level the match!
Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 5-7 Medvedev (*denotes server): Medvedev gathers his thoughts as both players trade hard and flat groundstrokes from the baseline. The rally lasts for ever - until, that is, Djokovic nets a forehand! They’re back on level terms!
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Second set tie-break: Djokovic 5-6 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Medvedev double-faults!
Second set tie-break: Djokovic 4-6 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Djokovic saves the second with a superb backhand down the line.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 3-6 Medvedev (*denotes server): Djokovic saves the first.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 2-6 Medvedev (*denotes server): Djokovic dumps a rubbish drop shot into the net. Medvedev has four set points.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic 2-5 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Medvedev overpowers Djokovic with a huge forehand.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic 2-4 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Djokovic gets one mini-break back, picking Medvedev off at the net.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 1-4 Medvedev (*denotes server): Djokovic double-faults! He challenges the second serve in vain - it was well long.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 1-3 Medvedev (*denotes server): Medvedev batters a forehand wide.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic 0-3 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Djokovic sends a backhand long on the run.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic 0-2 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Djokovic pulls a wild forehand wide.
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Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 0-1 Medvedev (*denotes server): A long rally to start us off. It’s pretty even - but Medvedev gets lucky when a Djokovic backhand clips the top of the net, giving him the chance to whip a forehand down the line.
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Second set: Djokovic 6-4, 6-6 Medvedev* (*denotes server): With Medvedev under pressure again, the game goes to 30-all. Medvedev finds a heavy serve for 40-30. Yet the game goes to deuce when Medvedev makes the strange decision to play a useless drop shot when he could have finished it off with a driven forehand. He makes up for it with an ace, one challenged incorrectly by Djokovic, who proceeds to send a forehand return wide. Tie-break. Intriguing.
Second set: Djokovic* 6-4, 6-5 Medvedev (*denotes server): After the first two points are shared, an error from a flat Djokovic makes it 15-30. Then comes a draining rally, with Medvedev giving as good as he gets. He’s the first to go big - but his forehand dips just wide. 30-all. Medvedev nets a couple of backhands and Djokovic holds.
Second set: Djokovic 6-4, 5-5 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Serving to stay in the set, Medvedev runs to the net to reach a drop shot and scoop a forehand away for 40-15. He holds with a big serve.
Second set: Djokovic* 6-4, 5-4 Medvedev (*denotes server): Looking distinctly unimpressed with this recent turn of events, Djokovic races into a 40-0 lead in brusque fashion. He holds to love. Medvedev faces another test of his nerve now.
Second set: Djokovic 6-4, 4-4 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Djokovic is gripped by a mini slump at the moment, drilling a forehand wide to let Medvedev hold to love. We’ve got a proper duel on our hands now. Three straight games for Medvedev.
Second set: Djokovic* 6-4, 4-3 Medvedev (*denotes server): The game goes to 30-all, a couple of rare misses from Djokovic letting in Medvedev, who earns a break point when he comes out on top during the next rally. “Come on Medvedev,” shouts someone in the crowd - and the youngster duly obliges. A drop shot battle doesn’t go Djokovic’s way this time. Djokovic dabs a volley to the right, but Medvedev scampers back, sets himself and drives a backhand down the line to break! Djokovic is furious.
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Second set: Djokovic 6-4, 4-2 Medvedev* (*denotes server): At 30-15 Medvedev comes up with quite possible the worst drop shot of all time, a weird forehand slices that draws a wince from the crowd. The game goes to deuce. Djokovic, toying with his prey, earns a break point with a delicate drop shot. Medvedev finds his serve at a good time. He saves the break point and holds to keep his slim hopes alive.
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Second set: Djokovic* 6-4, 4-1 Medvedev (*denotes server): Medvedev looks like a man who’s running out of ideas. Djokovic, meanwhile, is cruising, holding to 15 with an ace.
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Second set: Djokovic 6-4, 3-1 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Medvedev has a worried look on his face when Djokovic leads 30-40. Is this about to be another epic game? Nope. Djokovic pulls Medvedev into a grinding baseline rally. It always feels like a Medvedev error’s on the way - sure enough, the Russian eventually loses patience with trying to break down the wall and nets a weary forehand.
Second set: Djokovic* 6-4, 2-1 Medvedev (*denotes server): Is Djokovic going through a little dip? He double-faults to make it 15-30. But after all that drama, Djokovic isn’t messing around. He wins the next three points to hold.
Second set: Djokovic 6-4, 1-1 Medvedev* (*denotes server): Too many errors are creeping into Medvedev’s game. He pretty much hands Djokovic a break point, though he saves it with a big serve. Djokovic shakes his head. He thinks he should have made the return. He earns another chance with a clever drop shot, but Medvedev saves again. Then the young Russian denies Djokovic with an ace. Djokovic doesn’t slow down, though, earning a fourth chance with a searing forehand that clips the baseline. Medvedev stands firm with another fine serve. Djokovic gets break point number five; Medvedev somehow clings on with some outstanding defence, hanging in the rally before making Djokovic pay at the net. It’s outstanding from both players, but how Medvedev needs to get out of this game safely. Eventually he does, capitalising on a couple of errors from Djokovic.
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Second set: Djokovic* 6-4, 1-0 Medvedev (*denotes server): This Djokovic gives you chances, as Medvedev noted before the match, but he also takes them. It will be tough for the young Russian to come back from this, though let’s not forget that Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Roger Federer from a set down yesterday. There’s hope yet for the young pretender. But not yet. Djokovic holds to love.
And with that I shall hand you over to my colleague Jacob Steinberg to take you through to the close.
Djokovic wins the first set 6-4!
Medvedev is standing so wide on his first serve and it initially paid dividends, the angle proving just too much for the Djokovic return. Some of the time, anyway, because the Serb isn’t a six-time Aussie Open winner for nothing and he can adapt and think on the fly. That game management sends it to deuce and a double fault earned the world No1 set point. He sealed it, bursting to the net and picking his spot in the corner. An up-and-down game from both player’s perspective but it’s Djokovic who has first blood.
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First set: Medvedev 4-5 *Djokovic (*denotes server)
Medvedev breaks! Well then. The 22-year-old came to the net on the first point with Djokovic’s drop shot not precise enough and the Serb then sent a lob too long. The Russian again seized the initiative, moving forward to crunch a backhand winner at the T. All of a sudden it’s 0-40 and while Djokovic saved the first, a monster rally, which saw the world No1 test his challenger with some really deep groundstrokes, ended with the Serb finding the net and Medvedev is very much back in the set, and the match itself, you would imagine.
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First set: Medvedev* 3-5 Djokovic (*denotes server)
Not one, bit two Medvedev forehand winners! His serve looked solid again and Djokovic could only tee them up for the Russian to smash home a succession of points. Over to you, Novak.
First set: Medvedev 2-5 *Djokovic (*denotes server)
Medvedev initially looked unsettled and a little downcast after being broken but his backhand is so potent, and his own happy place he can always return to. It keeps him in the game and a slightly overhit Djokovic forehand after a long-ish rally sends it to deuce. That said, Djokovic foxed him with a deep slice that he could only send into the net and the slim chance he had of breaking disappeared with another slice from the Serb which he, again, can only find the net. Medvedev is playing uphill when he looked fully in control of the situation earlier on. That’s what Djokovic can do to you.
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First set: Medvedev* 2-4 Djokovic (*denotes server)
Djokovic breaks! The backhand has been the choice of weapon from both players but Djokovic’s forehand is heating up. A delighted winner down the line levels the game at 15-15 and then he takes a 30-15 lead with more focus on the shot. The world No1 wins two breaks points and only needs one of them as Medvedev’s feet a little slow to responding to a smart return. Big game now for the young Russian.
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First set: Medvedev 2-3 *Djokovic (*denotes server)
Bit of a mixed bag in that game, including back-to-back Djokovic unforced errors on his backhand, both tamely finding the net. Maybe Medvedev had a point after all. That enabled the Russian to claim his first break of the match but after the Serb looked irate at some shouting in the crowd after a bungled first set he then held with some trademark defence and attack, getting Medvedev on the move and testing his shot-making. At deuce, more variation, with the Russian content to rally from deep and struggling slightly when asked to change pace and direction, and then an ace to finish things off. Signs, both of Medvedev’s enduring threat and Djokovic’s tactics in dampening that threat.
First set: Medvedev* 2-2 Djokovic (*denotes server)
Some fine returns from Djokovic in that game, although at 15-0 Medvedev was inches away from pulling off an outrageous backhand winner, low to his left. The world No1 had a glimmer of a break at 15-30 but an ace restored parity. A booming serve and backhand (becoming a feature) gave him daylight and then he levelled the set at 2-2 with another ace which zipped past the Serb.
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First set: Medvedev 1-2 *Djokovic (*denotes server)
The game was briefly halted for the umpire to replace his microphone. The hilarity! Djokovic looked good, though, coming to the net, forcing Medvedev to mix up his shot selection and then striking some tidy winners. This is shaping up to be a very good match.
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First set: Medvedev* 1-1 Djokovic (*denotes server)
The first rally of the match – and at 35 shots it’ll take some beating – saw Djokovic test just how flat Medvedev can keep his backhand, the players barely moving from the centre of the baseline. Pretty flat, as it goes, flat enough to win that little skirmish. Thereafter the Russian ripped through the game, winning to love. His first serve accurate, solid and befitting of a man standing at 6ft 6in, not that you’d necessarily know it in the way he plays.
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First set: Medvedev 0-1 *Djokovic (*denotes server)
Djokovic breezed through the first two points but then sent a wide forehand, well, wide of Medvedev’s backhand before a real kick of a second serve troubled the Russian and then set him nicely at 40-15. Fully in control, he sends the 22-year-old scampering round the court before Medvedev stretched to barely reach a forehand which was low and wide.
This is what Medvedev said about Djokovic in the buildup to this match.
What I can only say is that probably he is not playing as he was before. Before, when he was young, I was just watching on TV but it was just something insane when he was playing Andy (Murray) or somebody for five hours and you couldn’t see one down (level), it was only up.
It isn’t the same now, you always have more chances to beat him and that’s why he’s lost three times to ‘next-gen’ players in the last year.
I mean he has a *a point* but it’s still some statement to make give his comparative light CV when it comes to Slams. Djokovic to serve first.
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Preamble
Good morning/evening everyone, wherever you are. No Federer, no Zverev, no Cilic, no Anderson and, er, no Murray, only three remain of the men’s top 10 seeds. And Novak Djokovic is one of them as he takes on young Russian Daniil Medvedev, part of a clutch of young Russians on the rise.
Djokovic, unsurprisingly, is 2-0 up in their head-to-head having beaten Medvedev at Nottingham last year and in the Davis Cup, when the Russian claimed the first set before retiring hurt later in the match. The 22-year-old was mightily impressive in beating David Goffin in the last round in straights (and is yet to drop a set in the tournament) while some, including Medvedev (some call), have claimed their are sufficient chinks in Djokovic’s armour to consider him beatable.
This is already Medvedev’s best performance in a grand slam as he takes on a 14-time major winner and a victory in Melbourne six times. The players are on court and warming up. Start is imminent.
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