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Australian Open 2024 Day 13 live: Alexander Zverev’s humiliating capitulation to Daniil Medvedev

Alexander Zverev entered his AO semi-final with a dark cloud hanging over him – and rocketed to an early lead. Then everything fell apart for him.

Tyson Otto, James Dampney and Andrew McMurtry
16 min read
January 27, 2024 - 6:18AM
Moment Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open

Daniil Medvedev has come back from two sets to love down in one of the all-time great comebacks against German Alexander Zverev.

The Russian will play in his third Australian Open final and will face grand slam final debutant Jannik Sinner in the men’s decider after pulling off the astonishing 5-7 3-6 7-6 7-6 6-3 victory.

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Medvedev dropped the opening two sets before winning two tight tie-breaks.

In the fourth set tie-break, it looked as though he might blow his chance at 4-all when he served a double fault to give his opponent the edge.

But three straight points, including a shot fans called “the luckiest net cord of the decade” saw Medvedev set up a winner-takes-all fifth set.

Medvedev then claimed a break in the fifth game before holding his nerve to serve out the victory.

It’s the second match at this Australian Open that Medvedev has won from two sets down, having outlasted Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori in the second round after dropping the first two sets in a match that finished after 3.30am local time.

Medvedev did the unthinkable. Photo by David GRAY / AFP
Medvedev did the unthinkable. Photo by David GRAY / AFP

However, it will be a tough loss for Zverev to take after seeing a chance at a second grand slam final slip though his fingers.

In his career, he has only lost two five setters from two sets up — the other being the 2020 US Open Final, which he lost to Dominic Thiem.

As the match went down the stretch, Nine commentator Jim Courier said: “It’s a nightmare for Zverev.

“This whole scenario, given what happened to him at the US Open back in 2020, when he had the match, the tournament, on his racquet. He was going to be a Major champion once and forever.

“And wasn’t able to manage his side of the net. Dominic Thiem was struggling with the moment too, but Thiem managed it a little better and he is the US Open titleist.”

Todd Woodbridge added: “This is going to be a bitter pill for Zverev to swallow if it goes the way it looks like it’s headed.”

And that is indeed how it ended.

Before the match even began, there was plenty of interest, as the pair had been pitted against each other in the Netflix series Break Point.

In a fiery clash in Monte Carlo, Medvedev left the court mid-way through the third set for a bathroom break, and in another situation removed one of the net poles.

Zverev called Medvedev “one of the most unfair players in the world”, while their frosty handshake went around the world.

Medvedev said Zverev was “living in his own world”, while one of Zverev’s team added: “I’ve lost all respect for the guy.”

Zverev couldn’t believe it. Photo by David GRAY / AFP
Zverev couldn’t believe it. Photo by David GRAY / AFP

But while the documentary focused on Zverev’s comeback from a horror ankle injury, it didn’t mention the abuse allegations against the German.

Zverev has been “accused of physically abusing a woman and damaging her health during an argument” in Berlin over three years ago.

The former world number two was ordered to pay fines of 450,000 euros ($A750,000) over the alleged assault in October. He contested the ruling, which means the case now goes to trial.

He has continually denied the allegations being levelled against him. The case against the tennis star will commence on May 31, 2024, during the French Open.

Zverev has continually been asked about the allegations and has fumed over questions during his press conferences throughout the Australian Open.

It was drawn back into the spotlight by Jelena Dokic and Aryna Sabalenka’s classy gesture to auction off signed towels for kids and women affected by domestic violence.

Fans called the act a “middle finger” to the Australian Open.

The result came after Sinner became the first man into the final after he downed 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in four-sets.

The fourth seed claimed the 6-1 6-2 6-7 6-3 win, moving into his first grand slam final.

He’s the first Italian to make an Australian Open final.

Whoever wins between Sinner and Medvedev, the Australian Open will have a new champion for the first time since 2014, when Stan Wawrinka lifted the title.

11.50pm – Medvedev breaks

Medvedev hasn’t been in front in the match since the second game.

After losing the first two sets, and winning the next two in tie-breaks, Medvedev has finally gone ahead in the fifth game of the fifth set.

It took him three break points, but he finally converted when Zverev made a unforced error for Medvedev to go ahead 3-2.

Zverev was frustrated in the game, hitting the net with his racket and knocking it off its clip in the middle of the net.

“Are the demons coming now for Zverev?” Todd Woodbridge said in commentary.

Zverev has made one grand slam final before, the 2020 US Open, but lost in five sets to Dominic Thiem in five sets.

11.32pm – All tied up

And we’re going to a fifth.

Daniil Medvedev has overcome a double fault at 4-all in the tie-break to take the fourth set 7-6.

But the mind games have begun as the Russian gets under the German’s skin.

At 6-5, Medvedev called out the umpire and wanted to see a ball that was clearly in on replay, seemingly refusing to play until he saw it.

The umpire called for the footage but the commentators immediately called it out as mind games from the Russian world No. 3.
Zverev called it out, going up to the umpire and claiming “He knows the ball is in. He is putting on a show.”

While he served out the game, he couldn’t close out the set and now we’re going to five.

10.35pm – Medvedev fights back

We're going to four.

Daniil Medvedev has finally hit back, taking a third-set tie-breaker to extend the match.

It’ll take something special to come back from here but Medvedev has done it before – last Thursday in fact.

In a match that went until after 3.30am local time, Medvedev outlasted Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori after he took out the first two sets.

Is an epic comeback on the cards?

We’ll find out.

9.31pm – Zverev ‘takes charge’

German world No. 6 is a set away from his second grand slam final after claiming the first two sets against Daniil Medvedev.

Zverev had won just one of the last six between the pair over the last year but was playing outstanding tennis as he broke twice in the second set to wrap it up 6-3.

His first set blow up at his father in the players box was long behind him as he leads 7-5 6-3, leaving Medvedev with few answers.

8.48pm – Sign Zverev’s feeling the heat

Zverev was feeling the pressure. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Zverev was feeling the pressure. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Alexander Zverev got off to the perfect start against Daniil Medvedev but it was the German who was left frustrated.

The 6th seed claimed a break in the third game and another in the fifth after his Russian rival served back to back double faults.

But the German’s near flawless serve was broken twice to bring the match back on serve at 5-all, leading to Zverev getting frustrated at his box.

Aussie legend Todd Woodbridge said it was a concerning sign.

“If you are a Zverev fan you will be very, very worried about that game there and then the reaction at the end of it,” Todd Woodbridge said in Nine commentary. “You hardly ever hear his dad chat to him during a match.

“He sits there looking like he is in agony but that expression does not change all that often.

“It looks like it is hard work but it is constant. and that was a real change from him.”

However, he broke straight back to make it give him the change to serve for the first set.

And Zverev did — but the final game took him more than eight minutes and a 51 shot rally to get over the line 7-5.

6.55pm – Tennis world tries to compute what just happened

No one saw that coming.

Even when Jannik Sinner raced through the opening two sets, there was still that nagging doubt.

When Djokovic won the third set in a tie-break, staring down a match point in the process, you couldn’t help that nagging suspicion, “here we go again”.

But it didn’t happen.

Sinner showed such poise and composure throughout, even a medical incident in the crowd failed to knock him off track.

Now we will have an Australian Open final not featuring one of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Djokovic for the first time since 2005.

6.20pm – He’s done it!

Jannik Sinner has done something no one had managed for more than six years, beating Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.

Korean Chung Hyeon was the last man to beat the Serbian superstar, producing a shock straights set win in the fourth round way, way back in 2018.

Either side of being deported before the 2022 edition, Djokovic had pocketed four titles and was riding a 33-match winning streak at Melbourne Park.

That has ended in spectacular fashion, well beaten by Italian fourth seed Sinner 6-1 6-2 6-7 (6-8) 6-3.

“There’s a new king in Melbourne!” Sam Smith said in commentary after match point.

Jannik Sinner has ended Novak Djokovic’s long winning streak in Melbourne in some style. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Jannik Sinner has ended Novak Djokovic’s long winning streak in Melbourne in some style. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Showing the cool, calm disposition he had demonstrated all match, Sinner was barely sweating in his post-match interview.

“It was a very, very tough match," he said. “I started off really well, for two sets I felt like he wasn’t feeling that great on court.

“Then in the third set I had match point, but this is tennis.

“I just tried to be ready for the next set which I started really well.”

Sinner has now beaten Djokovic in three of his past four attempts and had the perfect response when Jim Courier asked why he offered such trouble to the Serbian.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Ask him.”

Novak Djokovic makes a very unfamiliar exit from Melbourne Park. Picture: Mark Stewart
Novak Djokovic makes a very unfamiliar exit from Melbourne Park. Picture: Mark Stewart

6.05pm – We’re well past the three-hour mark

It was another battle, but Sinner does indeed hold serve, with Djokovic forcing deuce a couple of times but still unable to earn a break point.

It’s only one break, but that 4-1 lead looks daunting for Djokovic, who dropped his head when a backhand found the net.

Novak also had words with the umpire at one stage as he seemed bothered by something in the crowd.

The 36-year-old steadied and held serve to close to 2-4 in the set and Sinner then served with new balls.

The Italian has his tail up, serving to love for a 5-2 edge.

“Sinner is one game away now from a huge upset,” Sam Smith said in commentary.

5.50pm – Is that the decisive moment?

Djokovic seemed to be cruising on serve up 40-0 in the fourth game of the fourth set.

Sinner refused to concede, however, pushing it to deuce before Novak threw in a double-fault.

The Italian then ran Djokovic around the court and forced an errant backhand to secure another break of serve and lead 3-1.

Now the steely-eyed Sinner faces a huge test of his own serve.

“This is such a big moment in this match for Jannik Sinner to try to get to 4-1,” Jim Courier said in commentary.

Jannik Sinner has played an outstanding match to date. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Jannik Sinner has played an outstanding match to date. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

5.35pm – Djokovic digging deep

The match is on such a knife edge.

Sinner just had four break points on the Serbian’s serve, but some big first serves and heavy groundstrokes allowed Djokovic to escape and even things up at 1-1 in the fourth set.

Among all the stats that are available on this match that is creeping towards the three-hour mark, the most remarkable is the fact Sinner is yet to face a break point on serve.

The Italian on the other hand has taken four of his 10 break point chances to date and must be thinking if he can find one more, it might be enough.

5.15pm – Novak somehow stays alive

Novak Djokovic isn’t done just yet.

The Serbian survived a match point to claim the third set tie-break 8-6 and keep his hopes of an 11th Australian Open title intact.

Djokovic looked on track to claim the set when he broke open a 4-2 lead in the tie-break.

But just like he has throughout this remarkable match, Sinner was totally unperturbed, winning three straight points, capped by a giant forehand winner, to regain all the momentum.

Djokovic responded with a perfectly executed lob for 5-5 as neither player gave an inch.

The world No. 1 survived a match point at 6-5 down in the tie-break and then played three perfect points to claim the set and raise a fist as he walked to his chair.

Game on.

He’s not done yet. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
He’s not done yet. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

5.05pm – We’re off to a tie-break

So we move to a tie-break to decide this intriguing third set.

It’s either going to signal the start of a possible Djokovic comeback or the end of a magnificent era.

Novak serves first.

4.55pm – Crowd disruption halts play

Many have expected Novak Djokovic to pull some sort of time-wasting stunt in an effort to give himself time to regroup from the shocking display so far, a medical time out, extended toilet break, something.

To his credit, he’s stayed on court throughout so far.

With it poised at an incredible time, deuce on the Serbian’s serve and 5-5 in the third set, there was apparently a medical issue involving a member of the crowd.

It has forced the first proper break of the match.

Will it have an impact on the form of either player?

Djokovic is running out of time in this year’s Australian Open. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Djokovic is running out of time in this year’s Australian Open. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

4.40pm – We finally have a battle in the third

After that scintillating Sinner start took everyone off guard, certainly Novak, the third set is more of the grind you would expect from a grand slam semi-final.

Sinner just held serve to make it 4-4 in the third, after Djokovic won just three games over the first two sets.

Commentator and former world No. 1 Jim Courier said the defending champion needs to find a way to fire up.

“Sinner plays his best when he is calm and that’s not Novak’s way at all,” Jim Courier said.

“He needs to be on edge.

“He’s actually a little bit too calm for my liking right now at this level.”

Curiously, commentators also said while Djokovic is used to being an underdog when it comes to crowd support, those in attendance are currently leaning towards the Serb as they want to see more tennis.

4.20pm – The champ looks calm amid the chaos

He’s not quite unflappable, as his noted outbursts over the years would attest, but he’s certainly cool in a crisis Novak Djokovic.

If he is anticipating his Australian Open domination evaporating before his eyes, he’s failed to show it so far.

Despite the commanding manner in which Sinner won the opening two sets, Djokovic just had a skip in his step as he changed ends after a comfortable service game, finally getting his nose in front in a set, 2-1 in the third.

3.55pm – Disbelief at proceedings thus far

There’s no doubt Jannik Sinner was given a chance at winning on Friday, particularly having claimed two of their past three clashes.

But most still would have leaned heavily towards Novak, a man who has won 33 straight matches at Melbourne Park, broken up only by his deportation from the 2022 event.

The match is not over and if Djokovic is still standing and holding a racquet, he can’t be counted out.

But the reaction has been strong as Sinner held serve for a shock two-set lead, 6-1 6-2, in just 73 minutes on court.

As Sinner closed out the set, Jim Courier echoed what most were thinking when he said simply, “this is almost beyond belief”.

3.25pm – First blood to the underdog

Jannik Sinner made the perfect start, breaking Djokovic’s serve at the first attempt and racing to a 3-0 lead.

“Still a long, long, long way to go to take out the champ,” Jim Courier cautioned in commentary.

But the Italian kept up the pressure, closing out the set in impressive fashion 6-1 and showing no signs of nerves to date.

“Electrifying start from the fourth seed,” Sam Smith said in commentary. “This start is almost too good from Jannik.”

Former Australian professional John Millman was also making a word of caution.

“As good as Jannik has started, he’s still only got the four winners,” he said late in the first set. “You know Novak has a Plan B and that’s to go into absolute lockdown mode.”

Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are off to contrasting starts. Photos: Getty Images
Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are off to contrasting starts. Photos: Getty Images

3pm – Strong start for the young Italian

We all probably expect this match to go for a good couple of hours at least, whichever way it ends up. So it’s unwise to get too excited too early by the form of either player.

In saying all that, breaking Novak Djokovic’s serve at the first time of asking is a pretty decent early statement.

That’s what Jannik Sinner has done, following that up with a comfortable game on serve for an early 3-0 lead.

2.35pm – ‘Toughest test in tennis’

Novak Djokovic, boasting his ridiculous 10 Australian Open titles, has been described as the “toughest test in tennis” by retired Aussie professional John Millman.

The Serbian’s record at Melbourne Park is unprecedented as he prepares to hit centre court for yet another semi-final.

But Millman also wasn’t completely discounting his opponent on Friday, Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic owned the Italian early on, including knocking him out in consecutive Wimbledon tournaments in 2022 and 2023.

There has been a shift in that trend, however, with the Italian winning two of their past three showdowns, including a Davis Cup semi-final in their last match-up in November, to make the head-to-head 4-2 in Novak’s favour.

Is the changing of the guard finally ready to happen with the 22-year-old who grew up idolising Roger Federer or is Djokovic, 36, still king? We’re about to find out.

Sinner won their last clash during the Davis Cup in November. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for ITF)
Sinner won their last clash during the Davis Cup in November. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for ITF)

1.45pm – Djokovic snub was his own doing

Aussie great Todd Woodbridge says Novak Djokovic’s scheduling headaches were his own doing.

The world No. 1 has made no secret of the fact he prefers playing at night on Rod Laver Arena as he chases an absurd 11th Australian Open crown.

After being overlooked for the night session in the fourth round in favour of Aussie Alex de Minaur, the Serbian again played second fiddle to the showdown between Jannik Sinner and Russian Andrey Rublev, with his quarter-final against Taylor Fritz scheduled during the afternoon.

He said after his fourth round win: “It’s no secret I love to play at 7pm, but it wasn’t bad at all today. Not too bad.”

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after victory against USA's Taylor Fritz. Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after victory against USA's Taylor Fritz. Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP.

Woodbridge on Friday dropped some inside information that Djokovic knew what he was getting into with the tournament scheduling when he accepted the option of opening his campaign with a first-round match on the opening day of the tournament — a move that gave him an additional day of recovery.

“He started the tournament first, on the Sunday, and it’s my understanding he was very happy to do that because he felt that gave him extended rest throughout the tournament,” Woodbridge said on Channel 9.

“It gave him more time to get ready and at his age he’s looking for that. So that meant that by virtue of having his match play in the afternoon after two days off, this part of the draw has to play first because Zverev played a couple nights ago and so they need the extra rest and that gets them into the evening match.

“So today’s semi-finals were already scripted in the position they are. It’s not about him getting shafted or getting put in the day. It goes back to the very beginning of the tournament where he decided it was best for him to go on the opening day and he was going to go deep and it gave him the best chance of recovery throughout the 15 days.”

Todd Woodbridge clarified Novak’s draw issues. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Todd Woodbridge clarified Novak’s draw issues. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

1pm – Lleyton Hewitt ignored over statue request

Lleyton Hewitt didn’t get his way when it came to the statue unveiled in his honour on Wednesday night.

The Aussie legend has laughed off the storm of comments that have surrounded his bronzed statue that was showcased on the same night the 42-year-old was inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame.

Fans have been quick to point out the statue bust struggles to capture the essence of the famously-tenacious player who won the US Open and Wimbledon.

But I don’t want to be a pirate. Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images.
But I don’t want to be a pirate. Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images.

While some fans suggested the slicked back cap and earing makes Hewitt look like a “17th century pirate” — the man himself is happy with how it ended up.

His only complaint is that the statue appears to a mature-looking Hewitt and not the young player that won the US Open at the age of 20.

“I reckon they did a pretty good job. I love the hat backwards,” Hewitt said on Channel 9.

“I didn’t see it until I actually unveiled it last night … that was a weird feeling, because you’ve seen some of them in the past gone wrong.

“They did ask for a lot of photos to be taken last year, and I questioned that. I said I’d actually prefer it in my younger days when I was 20 or 21.

“But I’m very happy with it.”

Australian Open schedule for Day 13

Rod Laver Arena

Desirae Krawczyk (USA) / Neal Skupski (GBR) [2] lead Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE) / Jan Zielinski (POL) [3] 7-6

Not before 2:30pm (AEDT)

Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] vs. Jannik Sinner (ITA) [4]

Not before 7.30pm

Daniil Medvedev [3] vs Alexander Zverev (GER) [6]

11am – Coco Gauff hints at issue with Sabalenka grunt

Coco Gauff has dismissed suggestions she was impacted by the loud grunting made by Aryna Sabalenka during their semi-final on Thursday night.

Sabalenka won through to the final in two tight sets where Gauff struggled to get her game going against her power hitting opponent.

Sabalenka’s loud grunts following her ball-striking have long been a subject that’s sparked discussions among fans — and Sabalenka was famously mocked at the 2018 Aussie Open for screaming loudly during her opening match.

Coco Gauff speaking after her loss to Aryna Sabalenka. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)
Coco Gauff speaking after her loss to Aryna Sabalenka. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

While Gauff dismissed the issue when speaking to reporters on Thursday night, she did hint that Sabalenka’s inconsistent grunting could cause an issue in the future.

“I have played her a lot, so I can’t sit here and say that the grunt is distracting. I don’t even know, it’s like the fifth time we have played,” Gauff said.

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“I don’t notice. I feel like at least with her it’s consistent, so it doesn’t bother me.

“I’ve played a player in the past where the grunt wasn’t consistent, where they would grunt longer on purpose on 30-all or deuce point.

“I don’t think it’s a tactic or anything. I think that’s just how she plays tennis.”

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