The Russian is through to his second grand slam final after beating his Greek opponent in straight sets.
Danil Medvedev is into the Australian Open final after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 and 7-5. The Russian fired 17 aces and hit 46 winners while Tsitispas hit 30 unforced errors.
A good start for the Russian
Both players did a good job holding serve and the first couple games of the match it seemed both players were trying to get a feel of each other game. At 2-2 the number four seed earned the first break point of the match which was quickly saved by the Greek big serve.
The Russian earned a second chance with an amazing backhand winner down the line and managed to break the very next point as Tsitsipas sent a return long to take a 3-2 lead.
The number four seed would serve out the first set to take it 6-4 and take the early lead in the match.
The Russian dominantes
The momentum of winning the first set stayed with the Russian in the second set and at 1-1 Medvedev earned another early break point with another stunning forehand winner up the line. He would follow that up the following point earning the break with a blazing forehand winner to take an early 2-1 lead.
At 4-2 the Russian earned more chances to break and it seemed like this match was looking like one way traffic as he broke the Greek with a return winner and would serve out the second set.
Saving the best for last
The third set was probably the most competitive of the three sets played as Tsitsipas was trying to make a comeback into the match after a very slow start.
It was all business for the number four seed as his forehand was firing on all cylinders and earned him a break point in the very first game of the third set.
He would break to take an early 1-0 lead as the number five seed sent a ball long and it looked like this match on its way to a quick finish. At 3-1 the Russian had more break points when he forced an error from Tsitsipas.
The Greek would save both break points he faced and hold serve before finally putting pressure on Medvedev serve and off an untimely double fault he had two chances to break to go back on serve.
He would ultimately break back the Russian to go back on serve and had more chances to break at 4-3 but this time the number four seed was up to the task of saving them and holding serve.
At 5-5 Medvedev set up three break points once again with his stunning forehand and would break with a sizzling passing shot the following point to take 6-5 lead and would serve out the match.
After the match in an on court interview he spoke about the pressure and adversity he faced in the third set.
“It’s not easy, we saw the match with Rafa and the score was pretty similar in the first two sets, third set Rafa was dominating but he managed to win the match so I got a little bit scared and tight because it’s a semi final of a slam, was not easy but I am happy that I managed to turn my game on and really happy to be in the final”.
In that final on Sunday night in Melbourne he will have the daunting task of facing the world number one in Novak Djokovic who has never lost in the final of the Australian Open.
