Daniil Medvedev will take on Jannik Sinner for the Australian Open crown after a staggering comeback from two sets behind to beat Alexander Zverev.
In an epic Melbourne semi-final that lasted over four hours, the Russian showed incredible resilience to win the third and fourth sets on tie-breaks.
As German Zverev tired, Medvedev took the deciding set 6-3 and will play Sinner in Sunday’s final after the Italian’s shock win over reigning champion Novak Djokovic.
Having lost to Djokovic in 2021 and Rafael Nadal from two sets up in 2022, Medvedev will hope this is finally his year.
Speaking on court afterwards, Medvedev said: ‘It was tough because, first set, honestly I don’t think we played very good. Second set he played very well and I don’t have chances.
Daniil Medvedev came back from two sets to defeat Alexander Zverev and reach Sunday’s Australian Open final – where he’ll face Jannik Sinner
Zverev (left) was in command of the Melbourne semi-final before Medvedev surged back
The Russian hushes the crowd at the end of the four-hour classic after overcoming Zverev
Zverev put himself within touching distance of a Slam final before seeing the chance slip away
‘I was a little bit lost but in the third set I was telling myself if I lose this match I just want to be proud of myself and fight to the end and fight for every point.
‘I managed to win and I’m very proud.’
The Russian, who will contest a sixth slam final, trailed Emil Ruusuvuori by two sets in the second round in a contest that finished at 3.39am, and also needed five sets to defeat Hubert Hurkacz in a gruelling quarter-final.
He added: ‘I have never made it that tough and I’m happy about it. Before, my statistic on five set matches was not that good and physically and mentally it’s tough. Many times in the fifth I was not strong enough, so I’m happy.
‘One month ago I wanted to change a little and be strong mentally. I try to focus more, but I am far from being perfect.’
Zverev came through two five-set matches in his first four rounds, winning deciding tie-breaks against Lukas Klein and Cameron Norrie, but stepped up a gear to knock out Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals and continued in the same vein here.
Five double faults from Medvedev contributed to two breaks of serve in his opening three games but Zverev was unable to capitalise on his lead, Medvedev breaking the sixth seed when he served for the set as the rallies became longer and longer.
Zverev broke again in the 11th game and this time managed to make it across the line, with one 51-shot rally leaving both men gasping for air.
A full house in Melbourne enjoyed a late night classic between Medvedev and Zverev
Medvedev strains to reach a return during his four hour, 18 minute struggle with Zverev
There is no love lost between them, with things reaching a head in Monte Carlo last year, when Zverev branded his opponent ‘one of the most unfair players in the world’ following a tense clash.
That was one of six matches they contested in 2023, with Medvedev winning five of them.
Things remained civil here, but Medvedev’s frustration grew in the second set as Zverev really began to take control from the back of the court, breaking serve twice more.
The Russian pushed hard for a foothold in the match in the third set, moving closer to the baseline and exerting some pressure, but Zverev held firm until the tie-break.
Winning that gave Medvedev belief he could recover, but he was unable to find a chink in Zverev’s armour through the fourth set.
Jannik Sinner awaits Medvdev in Sunday’s Australian Open final after he beat Novak Djokovic
A double fault from Medvedev at 4-4 in the tie-break gave Zverev two serves for it but instead both points went to the Russian, the second a very fortunate return winner that scraped over the net, and an ace sent the contest to a fifth set.
Zverev’s annoyance boiled over when a wild volley gave Medvedev two break points at 2-2, the sixth seed smacking the top of the net twice with his racket and earning a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
He saved both but a third followed and this time he netted a forehand to give Medvedev his first break of serve since the opening set.
There were four hours and 17 minutes on the clock when a Zverev backhand over the baseline gave Medvedev his first match point, and moments later he was able to celebrate another remarkable win.
