World no. 2 Daniil Medvedev stood a couple of games from winning his second Major in a row at the Australian Open. The Russian led 6-2, 7-6, 3-2, 40-0 against Rafael Nadal before the Spaniard performed an epic comeback and celebrated in five sets.
Daniil left the event shorter for $12,000 after getting fined during the semi-final encounter against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Daniil took down Stefanos 7-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in two and a half hours for his fourth Major final and the second in a row in Melbourne.
Despite an excellent performance, Medvedev lost his temper and argued with the chair umpire Jaume Campistol over Tsitsipas’ evident coaching from his father. The Russian screamed bad words toward the referee and got a $12,000 fine!
As many times before, it was an intense battle between Daniil and Stefanos. Medvedev accused Tsitsipas of coaching and pressured the chair umpire to give him a warning, arguing with Jaume Campistol and not choosing words. They stayed neck and neck until 4-4 in the third set before Daniil grabbed eight of the next nine games to seal the deal and remain on the title course.
The Russian fired 13 aces, dropped 14 points behind the initial shot and got broken twice. Tsitsipas could not follow those numbers, suffering four breaks from 12 opportunities given to Medvedev after losing ground in the shortest and mid-range exchanges.
Battling under a close roof over Rod Laver Arena, Daniil and Stefanos reached 4-4 in the opener in swift 20 minutes, barely missing the first serve. Tsitsipas saved three break points in game nine and remained on the positive side until a tie break.
Daniil came back from 4-1 down and claimed it 7-5 for a massive boost.
Daniil Medvedev was fined $12,000 at the Australian Open.
Tsitsipas broke at the beginning of the second set with a forehand winner before Medvedev seized the fourth break point in the sixth game to pull the break back.
Daniil got broken for the second time in game nine after a double fault. He lost his temper and argued with the chair umpire over Stefanos’ coaching. Tsitsipas closed the set after deuce at 5-4 to level the overall score and improve his chances.
Daniil defended break chances at the beginning of the third set, and they both served well in the next eight games to stay neck and neck. Medvedev broke in game ten to claim the set 6-4 and become the favorite. The fourth set was one-sided, as the Russian dropped only a couple of points behind the initial shot and grabbed a double break.
Stefanos lost serve at 15 in the fourth game, and Daniil opened a 5-1 gap with a forehand winner. The Russian emerged at the top with a backhand winner in game seven, advancing into the fourth Major final and the second against Rafael Nadal.
“Are you mad? Can his father coach every point? Are you stupid? Can his father talk during every point? Answer my question! Will you answer my question? Can you answer my question? Oh my god, you are so bad, man. How can you be so bad in the semi-final? Look at me; I’m talking to you!” Daniil Medvedev said to Jaume Campistol.
