Australian Open semi-finals 2022: Daniil Medvedev advances to final amid Stefanos Tsitsipas cheating controversy

Daniil Medvedev has been slapped with a ridiculously small fine for his on court explosion which saw him attack a chair umpire during his semi-final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his Men's Singles Quarterfinals match against Denis Shapovalov

Daniil Medvedev has been found guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct and making a visible obscenity during a semi-final meltdown that has cost him $17,000.

But the miniscule fine for two code violations will account for just 0.6 per cent of Medvedev’s Australian Open prizemoney if he topples Rafael Nadal in Sunday night’s final to replace Novak Djokovic as the king of Melbourne Park.

Medvedev, 25, snapped at chair umpire Jaume Campistol because he suspected Greek opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas was receiving illegal coaching in a foreign language during the second set, a view that was on Saturday upheld by grand slam supervisors.

Tsitsipas was stung around $7000 for a coaching code violation after Greek umpire Eva Asderaki was planted underneath his father and coach Apostolos Tsitsipas, signalling to Campistol that she heard tactical advice being given early in the fourth set.

It was Tsitsipas’s third coaching violation in four games, with his first two infringements costing about $6000 each.

The world No.5 lost around $18,5000 out of his $895,000 cheque for losing the semi-final.

If Nadal breaks history by becoming the first 21-time slam champion then Medvedev’s puny fine will equate to just 1.1 per cent of his prizemoney.

Australian Open winners receive $2.875 million (AUD), with the men’s and women’s runners-up pocketing $1.575 million each.

Medvedev was pinged about $6000 for the visible obscenity and $11000 for unsportsmanlike conduct.

“Are you mad? Are you mad? His father can coach every point? Are you stupid?” Medvedev screamed at the umpire in an ugly outburst after a double fault gifted Tsitsipas a break of serve.

“His father can talk every point? Oh my god. Oh my god, you are so bad, man.

“How can you be so bad in the semi-final, your answer? Look at me! I’m talking to you!”

Canadian Denis Shapovalov was slapped with the same fine - $12,000 USD ($17,000 AUD) – for racquet abuse and unsportsmanlike conduct after he told an umpire: “You guys are all corrupt” in his quarter-final loss to Nadal.

Aussie Nick Kyrgios has been sanctioned three times – twice in his singles loss to Medvedev in Round 2 and once in the doubles semi-final – for an audible obscenity and two episodes of racquet abuse.

“Please don’t call out while I’m f****** serving!” he bellowed at a fan who had loudly requested an underarm serve just before Kyrgios started his ball toss.

A sting operation caught the Greek God’s father directing in last night’s semi-final

Greek-speaking umpire Eva Asderaki was planted in the tunnel underneath Tsitsipas’ player’s box mid-match so she could spy on Apostolos – a serial offender who has incurred coaching violations in the past.

The plan was hatched after a Medvedev meltdown in the second set when he launched an abusive rant at chair umpire Jaume Campistol, calling the Spanish official a “small cat”.

Medvedev prevailed 7-6 (5) 4-6 6-4 6-1, but the match was overshadowed by the outburst that will see the world No. 2 step on to Rod Laver Arena as the villain in Sunday night’s final against Rafael Nadal.

RECAL ALL THE ACTION FROM THE SEMI FINALS BELOW

Daniil Medvedev asking umpire Jaume Campistol to issue a code violation to Stefanos Tsitsipas for illegal coaching: "If you don't, you are... how can I call it... a small cat."

— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) January 28, 2022

🚨 Caught red-handed! 🚨

Check out the vision that shows the Tsitsipas camp caught in a STING by the umpires! 😲#AusOpen - live on Channel 9 and 9Now. Ad-Free Live & On Demand on Stan Sport pic.twitter.com/4AYq6oRp9b

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 28, 2022

Stefanos Tsitsipas received yet another coaching violation. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Asderaki signalled for a coaching violation at 1-1 in the fourth set. Tsitsipas did not win another game after that.

Medvedev’s reputation and prize money are both set to take a hit.

Grand slam supervisors are likely to slap Medvedev with a fine on Saturday, with the precedent set by stinging Canadian Denis Shapovalov $12,000 after he called an umpire “corrupt”.

But a sanction of that nature is unlikely to worry Medvedev, who will take home either $2.875 million as the 2022 champion or $1.575 million as runner-up.

Medvedev took himself off court after the second set for an outfit change and, more importantly, to cool down.

“To be honest, I don’t think that emotions helped me too much,” he said post-match.

“Many times I lose the match because of this. You lose concentration and too much energy.

“As soon as I did it I am like, ‘That is a big mistake’. I reconcentrated for the beginning of the third set.”

Daniil Medvedev celebrates winning the men's singles — but there will be plenty of fallout. Picture: AFP

Medvedev and Tsitsipas have long been enemies. After their first meeting in Miami four years ago Medvedev told: “Hey Stefanos, you want to look at me and talk?

“Emergency toilet for five minutes and then you hit let and you don’t say sorry and you think you’re a good kid?

“Look at me. Hey, look at me!

“He’s that bullshit Russian, you think this is normal? He’s a small kid who doesn’t know how to fight.”

Medvedev was booed when he stepped on to the court after calling out Nick Kyrgios’ fans who jeered before his second serve at break point as having a “low IQ” last week.

The 25-year-old was unflappable last week, but that robot-like body language has since dissolved.

Medvedev is the best defensive player in the world and boasts a power serve, with that unique combination morphing him into who Kyrgios rates as the best player on the planet.

Medvedev has revolutionised defensive running, positioning himself 5m south of the baseline and 17m from the net at times and sprinting side to side with seemingly infinite energy reserves.

But the 25-year-old revealed that Wednesday’s five-set epic in the quarter-final left him exhausted.

Apostolos Tsitsipas, father and coach of Stefanos Tsitsipas, was caught coaching his son.. Picture: Michael Klein

Medvedev admitted he is exhausted. Picture: AFP

“I was so dead and I sat down in the locker room after the match and I could barely move,” he said.

Medvedev is shooting for second consecutive slam after destroying idol Novak Djokovic in straight sets at Flushing Meadows last September.

But Nadal leads Medvedev 3-1, but the Spaniard was beaten last start and pushed to five sets when they met in the 2019 US Open.

Novak Djokovic’s former strategist and Aussie Alexei Popyrin’s coach Craig O’Shannessy told News Corp this week the ATP should legalise coaching using the template from last year’s Next Gen title in Milan because everyone was guilty of doing it.

“The coach has been pushed into this dark underworld, where we’re saying things under our breath and watching the umpire to see if they’re looking at us and helping our player,” O’Shannessy said.

“What we’re doing right now is broken and it really is unfair to the coaching community.”

FOURTH SET

TSITSIPAS 1-6 MEDVEDEV

Speaking of escalating quickly...

After Tsitsipas received a coaching violation, Medvedev won FIVE straight games to win the fourth set and the match.

Maybe Medvedev had a point afterall!

Medvedev will be the villain in the Aus Open final up aginst Rafael Nadal, but from previous evidence it doesn’t seem like he minds that.

THIRD SET

TSITSIPAS 4-6 MEDVEDEV

Medvedev has managed to hold his nerve to secure the break and the second set!

While the Medvedev of the past may have bottled it after that outburst, the current world No.2 has kept his cool and now shapes as the favourite to advance to the final.

TSITSIPAS 4-5 MEDVDEV

Medvedev looked to be losing his cool earlier in the set but he has managed to claw (pardon the pun...) his way back into this match.

It is currently on serve and there’s been no more complaints from the angry Russian... yet.

SECOND SET

TSITSIPAS WINS 6-4

Woah... that escalated quickly. It’s hard to find words to describe that ridiculous rant from Medvedev.

But, believe it or not, there was a game of tennis happening as well, with Tsitsipas taking out the second set just after that extraordinary outburst.

TSITSIPAS 5-4 MEDVEDEV

Another break for Tsitsipas, and a crucial one in the context of this match.

He will now serve for the set

TSITSIPAS 4-4 MEDVEDEV

Tsitsipas saved three break points but Medvedev was too strong for the fourth seed, getting the second set back on serve.

TSITSIPAS 3-2 MEDVEDEV

The first break of the match goes to Tsitsipas!

The Greek star helped quash Medvedev’s momentum after clinching the first set by breaking him in the first game of the second.

FIRST SET

TIEBREAK: MEDVEDEV WINS 7-5

Tsitsipas won a thrilling rally to start the tiebreak 2-0 up.

He extended his lead to 4-1, but it was all Medvdev from there, winning six of the next seven points to snatch the first set.

TSITSIPAS 5-5 MEDVEDEV

Now it is Medvedev who is flying, taking his last two service games to love and nearly pulling off a crucial break from Tsitsipas.

The Greek launched a comeback from 0-40 down to keep the match on-serve, in an intense game with several long rallies — and an incredible win from Medvedev.

“That’s a crazy get. Who else dock that and get two hands on it and not have to hit a slice? Almost defies possibility. He saw it coming, didn’t he?” Jim Courier said on commentary.

TSITSIPAS 3-2 MEDVEDEV

Tsitsipas is getting through his service games at a rapid pace, losing just the single point to Medvedev — which came after the ball hit the net and bounced just over.

Let’s see if the Greek star can maintain the heat.

7:30pm ALCOTT’S TEARY FAREWELL

Dylan Alcott has been given an emotional farewell lap around Rod Laver Arena before the men’s semi-final.

Alcott blew kisses to the crowd and was joined by his family for a photo on court, with his mother, Resie, in tears as he said goodbye for the last time to tennis fans.

The 15-time grand slam champion received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Lap of honour and some family portraits for this man, greeted with a standing ovation. Gone from Rod Laver Arena, but will never be forgotten. @DylanAlcott#ausopenpic.twitter.com/3sikidhOFb

— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) January 28, 2022

Under-siege Tennis Australia boss, who had been met with fierce disapproval from Aus Open crowds amid the Novak Djokovic saga, walked him out onto centre court.

Surprisingly, he wasn’t booed. But perhaps this was because of the Australian of the Year next to him.

Dylan Alcott entered Rod Laver Arena for his farewell lap with Craig Tiley. Picture: AFP

7:20pm BULLS*** RUSSIAN: STARS’ FIERY BACKSTORY

It wouldn’t be a Daniil Medvedev-Stefanos Tsitsipas clash without reliving that infamous Miami Open blowup from 2018.

In a heated match between the pair, Tsitsipas labelled Medvedev a “bulls*** Russian”, and that’s where things exploded.

Medvedev reacted in kind, saying “Stefanos you better shut your f** up.”

The umpire intervened to ensure two fuming stars didn’t get physical, with Medvedev proclaiming Tsitsipas was a “small kid who doesn’t know how to fight.”

Will we see more fireworks from these two in this encounter?

FOURTH SET

NADAL 6-3 BERRETTINI

It looked like we might be going the distance, until Nadal snatched a break late in the fourth set to set up a strong win.

He will face either Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday night as he aims to clinch a record-breaking 21st grand slam.

THIRD SET

NADAL 3-6 BERRETTINI

Don’t go anywhere!

Berrettini is back in it after a much-improved 6-3 display in the third set, coming off the back of a serving resurgence from the Italian.

We saw Nadal’s last match against Denis Shapovalov go to five sets after he took the first two. Could it be the same story here?

NADAL 3-5 BERRETTINI

Berrettini won his first game to love for the match, then managed to break the superstar Spaniard for the first time in his career.

The Italian produced a stunning passing forehand when he looked out of the point as he brought up three break points, two of which were saved by Nadal.

Berrettini even spoke in Nadal’s native tongue, letting out a “vamos” after securing the break.

SECOND SET

NADAL 6-2 BERRETTINI

Another clinical performance from Rafa and Berrettini just can’t catch a break - literally and figuratively. Nothing is going right for the Italian and the fairy-tale for Nadal is getting closer and closer. We dare to dream.

FIRST SET

NADAL 6-3 BERRETTINI

Rafael Nadal has put on a clinic against an outclassed Matteo Berrettini to start their semi-final on Rod Laver Arena, taking the first set 6-3 in blistering fashion.

With the roof closed due to torrential rain hitting Melbourne, conditions were expected to favour the Italian, but it was Nadal who came out breathing fire.

The 20-time major winner peppered Berrettini’s backhand on his way to an early break and – after navigating a five-and-a-half minute opening game hold – was rarely troubled on his own serve.

Berrettini made 16 backhand errors - more than Nadal had errors in total – in a brutal examination.

More worryingly for the Italian, Nadal’s record after winning the first set at a grand slam is imperious: he’s 264-7 in such scenarios.

And watch out if he wins the second here… he’s only lost on two occasions from the 234 times when he’s taken a two-sets-to-love lead in a grand slam match.

4:00pm MASSIVE TICKET BOOST FOR AO FINAL

Crowds will be increased at the Australian Open for this weekend’s finals.

The State Government has confirmed capacity will be increased at Melbourne Park from 65 per cent to 80 percent.

It means about 3000 more fans will be able to witness Ash Barty in the final and four Aussies contest the men’s doubles final.

Sports Minister Martin Pakula confirmed a bigger crowd would be allowed.

“Following consideration of a request from Tennis Australia for a higher cap, the ticketed capacity of the AO has been increased to 80 per cent for the finals on Saturday and Sunday.’’

Meanwhile, Rafa Nadal is putting on a clinic in his semi-final.

The Spaniard is rolling back the years as he looks to secure his sixth Australian Open final, making Matteo Berrettini look amateurish in the process.

ROD LAVER ARENA

Day session – From 12:00pm AEDT

Mixed Doubles • Final

J. Fourlis WC

J. Kubler WC

K. Mladenovic 5

I. Dodig 5

Day session – Not before 2:30pm AEDT

Men’s Singles • semi-finals

M. Berrettini 7

R. Nadal 6

Night session – From 7:30pm AEDT

Men’s Singles • semi-finals

S. Tsitsipas 4

D. Medvedev 2

1:30PM AUSSIE FINALS HEARTBREAK

Australia has suffered a second finals defeat at the Australian Open in as many days, with Jamiee Fourlis and Jason Jason Kubler losing in straight sets while chasing the mixed doubles crown.

The Aussie underdogs went down 6-3 6-4 to the fifth seeds, France’s Kristina Mladenovic and Croatian Ivan Dodig, joining quad wheelchair king Dylan Alcott in finishing a runner-up at this year’s tournament.

The unseeded Australians snatched an early break on Rod Laver Arena, but were broken back twice to concede the first set in 35 minutes.

Their more fancied rivals carried that moment into the second set, with Mladenovic sealing the win with a fine volley after a tense match point to claim her 25th doubles title – and second Australian Open gong.

Dodig, a three-time slam mixed doubles champion, claimed his first title at Melbourne Park.

Australia has more finalists to come, with Ash Barty contesting her first Australian Open final in the women’s singles, and the Matt Ebden-Max Purcell partnership taking on Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios in the men’s doubles on Saturday.

GOOD MORNING: Men’s semi finals day and also some Aussies in the mixed doubles final

Iga Swiatek said she came up against the fastest balls she has ever faced after being blown off court by the raw power of Danielle Collins to miss out on an Australian Open final Thursday.

The Polish seventh seed was overwhelmed by the American 6-4, 6-1 in the last four and said it was tough to know how to deal with her relentless shot-making.

“I was prepared for her playing an aggressive game, but I think that was the fastest ball I have ever played against in a match,” she said.

“For sure in practices I have hit maybe the same speed, but in matches it’s different because players they don’t want to, you know, take that much risk.

“But it seemed for her that it wasn’t even risky because she was playing it with control. So I am impressed and huge respect to her because she’s playing a great game.” Despite the disappointing defeat, Swiatek showed character on her way to the last four and said she had no regrets from her time at Melbourne Park, where she made her first semi-final outside of the French Open that she won in 2020.

During her run to the Roland Garros title aged just 17 she did not drop a set, but twice came from a set down in Melbourne -- against Estonian veteran Kaia Kanepi and Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.

It is the first time in her short career the Pole has won back-to-back matches after losing the first set, proving her fight is just as formidable as her forehand.

She also demonstrated her consistency by making the second week for a sixth consecutive Grand Slam and said the key lesson she took away was that “I don’t have to play perfect tennis to win matches, even on hard courts”.

“That’s my best result on hard court besides winning Adelaide. I mean, I don’t know if winning Adelaide is better than the semi-final of an Australian Open,” she said, referring to the Adelaide title she won last year.

“So that’s positive, because I always wanted to improve on hard courts. “I like the fact that I won against Sorana and Kaia like mentally and physically, and I gave my heart on court, so that’s great.

“I’m pretty happy that I’m able to also play aggressive and be ready on fast surfaces. Maybe I wasn’t today, but usually.” Despite the defeat, Swiatek is projected to move to number four in the world rankings when they are released next week