Daniil Medvedev displayed resilience and skill during an epic five-set marathon match at the Australian Open against Hubert Hurkacz, winning in five sets after almost four hours of intense rallies between both players. Medvedev, a two-time finalist here and 2021 U.S. Open champion, returned to Australia’s semifinals – his third appearance within four years!
Even while leading 4-2 in the fourth set, Medvedev faced an incredible comeback by Hurkacz that sent it into an intense fifth set. Hurkacz displayed excellent mental and physical toughness by winning a vital break point during game seven before sealing his victory with an exquisite drop shot.
Medvedev made note of his physical fatigue during post-match interviews, saying, “I feel completely exhausted now… In the second set already, it was very tough physically for me”.
Medvedev will face Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz or Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev in the semifinals.
On the women’s side, semifinal matches have now concluded with 12th seed Zheng Qinwen and Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska emerging victorious in their quarterfinal matches to join 2023 champion Aryna Sabalenka and U.S. Open winner Coco Gauff in the last four. Also Read: Ghana’s AFCON 2023 Drama: Rollercoaster Ride to Knockouts After Nail-Biting Draw
Yastremska made history when she became only the second qualifier ever in Australia’s Open era to advance to women’s singles semifinals as she made history before birth: it felt good making history, but at that point in my life, wasn’t born yet, so this momentous accomplishment is even sweeter for me than just making history, says “it makes my day to know I made history because when that occurred at that time it did not exist; so this makes my year! But it leaves me happy but also very tired!”
Yastremska began Day 11 by facing Linda Noskova, who had defeated top-ranked Iga Swiatek earlier in the tournament. Yastremska showed her strategic brilliance and resilience by breaking Noskova’s serve for an early lead before serving out her set to finish it, before breaking again for victory with one break, which sealed her victory later in the second set.
Zheng showed incredible perseverance in recovering from being one set and three games down in her night match to claim 10 out of 11 games, sealing her place in her inaugural Grand Slam semifinal appearance. Zheng displayed tremendous determination and skill as she controlled most aspects of this remarkable comeback victory.
On Thursday, Zheng and Yastremska will compete to claim an essential place in the final of the Australian Open – this stage has provided many thrilling moments and unexpected turns as these talented athletes vie for supremacy on the court.
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