Medvedev’s Dramatic Quarterfinal Victory Over Hurkacz in the Australian Open

In the quarterfinals, Medvedev and Hurkacz had a thrilling exchange of blows. Medvedev looked like the better player for a long time, but then had to struggle with physical problems from the fourth set onwards.

“I feel completely destroyed,” he said after his 100th Grand Slam match: “It was physically very strenuous in the second set. In the fourth set I lost my concentration. I was prepared to lose.”

After the Russian had dominated the game in the first set, Hurkacz suddenly turned things up in the second round. Encouraged by his strong first serve, with which he scored 100 percent of the points in set two when he brought it into the field, the Pole showed variance and enthusiasm and got the 1-1 equalizer.

Medvedev then disappeared into the catacombs to put on a new outfit in the shade of the Rod Laver Arena in the 30-degree heat, while Hurkacz remained on the pitch. The reset did not fail to have its effect: Medvedev immediately moved ahead to 3-0 and later took the round 6-3.

Extremely cool match point: Medvedev fights his way through

Medvedev wins on the gums

The Russian also managed an early break in the fourth set, but had his own service taken away at 4:3 and then again at 5:6, to the surprise of the spectators – so the deciding set was needed.

Hurkacz, who had previously given up his racket several times in frustration, now smelled the dawn, but Medvedev mobilized the last of his strength. Everything stayed in line until 3:3, then the Russian broke his opponent’s serve one final time.

Rittner analyzes Medvedev’s victory: “Hurkacz was fresher and fitter”

At 3:4, Hurkacz had another chance to break, but Medvedev defended himself and converted his second match point after exactly 3:59 hours of play.

“He solved it impressively,” said tennis expert Barbara Rittner at Eurosport, who also recognized a tape on Medvedev’s left abdominal muscles, which could indicate an injury-related impairment: “Maybe he has a bit of problems there.”

Incredible point! “The King of Poland wields the scepter”

Hurkacz misses second Grand Slam semi-final

Medvedev has already reached the final twice in Melbourne, but lost there against Novak Djokovic (2021) and Rafael Nadal (2022).

Hurkacz had only previously reached a Grand Slam quarter-final – in 2021 he made it to the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

On the last groove: Medvedev manages to break in the fifth set

The opponent in the semi-finals is either Alexander Zverev (Hamburg/No. 6) or Carlos Alcaraz (Spain/No. 2), who will face each other in the night session (live ticker).

“What’s wrong with him?!” Hurkacz throws his racket over the net

“Craziness!” Hurkacz scores against Medvedev after tweener

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Hubert Hurkacz – Daniil Medvedev

2024-01-24 08:14:00
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