Australian Open 2021 day 12 live: Daniil Medvedev tears through Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach final

Daniil Medvedev has extended his winning run to 20, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to book a date with Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final.

Daniil Medvedev is through to his first Australian Open final. Picture: Getty Images

• Medvedev poses threat to the Melbourne Park king
• VIDEO: Incredible shot breaks Tsitsipas
• Stosur, Ebden into mixed doubles final

Daniil Medvedev is through to his first Australian Open final, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets and extending his winning streak to 20. He’ll face world No 1 Novak Djokovic on Sunday. Australians Sam Stosur and Matthew Ebden meanwhile are into the mixed doubles final. Read how day 12 unfolded below.

Courtney Walsh10.10pm:Medvedev poses threat to the Melbourne Park king

Daniil Medvedev will tackle Melbourne Park king Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final after a convincing triumph over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Rod Laver Arena on Friday night.

The Russian continued his incredible summer in Melbourne when outclassing Tsitsipas for extended periods in a 6-4 6-2 7-5 in 2hr 9min in a masterful display.

Medvedev will be seeking a 21st win in succession — with 11 of them over top ten players — when he faces Djokovic on Sunday night.

It is the second hardest test in tennis behind tackling Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros.

The 25-year-old’s streak started at the Paris Masters, where he defeated Alexander Zverev in the final.

Daniil Medvedev. Picture: Getty Images

In the ATP Tour Finals in London, he downed Zverev, Djokovic, Diego Schwartzman, Nadal and finally Dominic Thiem to claim the biggest title of his career to date.

If anything, he has been more impressive through February. He led Russia to victory in the ATP Cup and has routed most rivals on his run to a second grand slam finals appearance.

Medvedev is seeking to match the deeds of Djokovic last summer when he led Serbia to a success in the inaugural ATP Cup before claiming an eighth Australian Open.

He will be hoping to go one better than in New York in 2019 where he pushed Nadal to the brink in a thrilling final on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The challenge ahead of him is immense. Djokovic has never been beaten in an Australian Open final and is seeking a remarkable ninth title in Melbourne and 18th major overall.

But Medvedev will approach the final with confidence that he can dethrone the reigning champion and not solely because of his astonishing form tracing back to November.

He defeated Djokovic in convincing fashion in London in the round-robin stages of the ATP Cup and has won three of their seven meetings, those triumphs coming in their last four matches.

“I like that I don’t have a lot of pressure because he has never lost in eight times when he was in the final,” he said.

“It is him that has all the pressure going after Roger and Rafa. He has more experience, but more things to lose then me.”

Djokovic told Eurosport that he was determined to rise to the challenge against any challengers, be them legends or emerging stars like Medvedev.

“Pressure is always there. It’s what we do,” he said. “Everyone talks about the new generation coming and taking over us but, realistically, that isn’t happening still.

“We can talk about it all day, but with all my respect to the other guys, they still have a lot of work to do.

“I’m not going to stand here and hand it over to them. I’m going to make them work their ass off for that.”

Medvedev had the upper hand from the start, breaking his rival early en route to taking out the first set.

Picture: Getty Images

A Tsitsipas service game at 1-all in the second set shaped as another important juncture.

The Greek fought particularly hard to hold his serve, understandably, given the implications of an early deficit against a rival playing as well as the 25-year-old is.

But the Russian remained relentless in the pressure he applied and when he walloped a forehand winner down the line to break, he was clearly in the ascendancy.

He was able to whip through the second in 36 minutes after securing another break when leading 4-2, this time to love.

Medvedev is renowned for the amount of work he puts in when training away from the court. His fitness levels are supreme. A point at 30-all in the opening game of the third set illustrated this perfectly.

The Greek star was able to stretch him from side to side but it was the world No 4 who emerged the victor in a point of attrition when ripping a forehand winner crosscourt.

Tsitsipas had shown remarkable resilience to become only the second man in a major to reel in Rafael Nadal from a two set deficit on Wednesday night and Medvedev was mindful his rival remained a threat.

“Definitely not easy because, first of all, we saw the match with Rafa and it was kind of the same score,” he said. “I got a little bit scared and tight because it is a semi-final of a slam.”

But there would not be a second miracle in three nights, though the Greek certainly tried to conjure one.

Greek fans at Rod Laver Arena couldn’t get Tsitsipas home. Picture: Getty Images

The sixth seed raised hopes when breaking Medvedev for the first time in the semi-final midway through the third set and threatened to extend the match as the Russian’s level dipped slightly.

But when Medvedev ripped a backhand passing shot down the line to seize a break for 6-5, a place in the Australian Open final was only one service hold away.

It is probable the effort required to defeat the Spaniard sapped the 22-year-old, for it has proven particularly hard for players to hold their form after downing one of the legends in Nadal, Djokovic or Roger Federer.

But that should not detract from the excellence with which the Russian played and his mastery of the court.

Tsitsipas had beaten him only once in five outings leading into the semi-final. It is probable the result would have been the same regardless given the form of the fourth seed.

Adrian McMurray9.58pm:Medvedev through to final

Medvedev has two match points … fault first up, but he forces the error from Tsitsipas to take the match! He looks around Rod Laver Arena, and doesn’t look pleased with the crowd. Regardless he’s won it in straight sets 6-4 6-2 7-5 and will take on Novak Djokovic in the final. That’s 20 wins in a row now, including 11 against top 10 players. He’s the first Russian into the Australian Open final since 2005.

“I got a little bit scared, I should say and tight, because it is a semi-final of a grand slam,” Medvedev says post-match.

“It was not easy but I am happy that I managed to turn my game on, especially on some tights moments on my serve and happy to be in a final.

“I just try to hit aces and winners or put the ball in the court. That's the only way to do that. I remember at 30-40 in the game when he was up 4-3, and the only chance was to serve a big serve and I made an ace.

“So that that’s how I stayed in the match.

“I was just working hard all my life and I am really happy at this moment because it will stay with me.”

"Hopefully I can keep the momentum going."@DaniilMedwed is aiming for 2️⃣1️⃣ at #AO2021.#AusOpenpic.twitter.com/nZgDrWZH5K

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 19, 2021

He says he’ll learn from his last slam final, which came against Nadal in 2019 at the US Open.

“I took a lot of experience. It was my first grand slam final against one of the greatest. Sunday I’m going to come against one of the other greatest. Just, yeah, that I played against Rafa in a crazy match. If we are going to have crazy matches I can turn things for me and not against me.”

He says all the pressure is on Djokovic.

“I like that I don’t have a lot of pressure. Because he’s never lost in eight times that he was here in the finals. So it is him who has all the pressure. Getting to Roger, Rafa, in the grand slams.

“I just hope that I am going to get out there, show my best tennis, as we see I can beat some big names if I play good. That is the main part. After, as I say, he has for sure more experience but more things to lose.”

Adrian McMurray9.55pm:Incredible shot breaks Stefanos

Wow – Daniil has three break points! Tsitsipas saves one with a smash, but Medvedev pulls off a ridiculous passing shot, a sublime backhand from the baseline deep past Tsitsipas to break! He tries to rev up the crowd and he’s serving for the match at 6-5.

Adrian McMurray9.50pm:5-all in the third

Tsitsipas holds with an awkward volley at the net, seemingly changing his mind at the last minute and going for placement over power. The Greek leads 5-4 in the third. Medvedev hit a few winners that game and it barely registered any reaction from the crowd. It seems like nothing he can do will win them over. The man could develop a COVID vaccine that’s 100 per cent effective and have no side effects and he still wouldn’t win this Rod Laver Arena crowd over!

While Tsitsipas takes the first two points off the Medvedev serve, the Russian goes on with it to hold, 5-all. This is very interesting now.

Adrian McMurray9.42pm:Not even the machines are safe

Big hold from Tsitsipas, who is rolling at the moment. He’s won the last three games and the crowd are eating it up, even booing faults on the Tsitsipas serve when called by the prerecorded voice of the electronic line call system. Not even the machines are safe from this one-eyed crowd!

Tsitsipas works his way to break point but Medvedev saves it with an ace. And he goes on to hold, 4-all.

Adrian McMurray9.33pm:Tsitsipas breaks back

Wow, where is this coming from?! A double fault and a forehand error from Medvedev and Tsitsipas digs in to break! The crowd are well and truly on their feet, HUGE noise for Tsitsipas. Back on serve, 3-all.

Adrian McMurray9.28pm:Tsitsipas stems the flow

Same pattern again: Medvedev with the quick hold, all the pressure’s back on Stefanos. He saves break point twice, including one with just his third ace of the match. Tsitsipas holds, and the crowd are pumped. Medvedev to serve at 3-2.

Adrian McMurray9.19pm:Medvedev off to a flyer in third

A break right from the get-go in the third has Medvedev rolling. He holds to love – sealing it with his 12 ace of the match – in a little over a minute. A glimmer for Tsitsipas with a good hold of serve, but the fact that we’re pointing to simple holds as a real positive for the fifth seed shows just how far on top Medvedev is. The Russian to serve at 2-1.

Adrian McMurray9.04pm:Medvedev takes second set

Tsitsipas battles back to hold, but it’s relentless from Medvedev who piles the pressure on with another quick hold of serve – two aces in that one.

Wow – Medvedev breaks to love! He clips the tape with the winner to take the game and makes sure he apologises. Hah.

Jim Courier says Tsitsipas doesn’t look like he did against Nadal when he found himself in a similar position.

“He looks glum … there’s a bit of a sadness to that look,” he says in commentary. But Tsitsipas has the crowd on his side – huge support from the Melbourne crowd, barely a peep for Medvedev.

The Russian’s up 5-2 and serves out the set to love, an ace sealing it! That one went quickly – just 36 minutes. Medvedev leads two sets to love. Just one away from the final and a meeting with Djokovic.

Adrian McMurray8.50pm:Frustration for Tsitsipas as Medvedev powers ahead

The pair share service games to begin the second, but Tsitsipas struggles on his next serve. Medvedev is winning almost all the long rallies so Tsitsipas needs to keep the points short if he’s any chance. Tsitsipas has three chances to hold but fails to convert. Medvedev does so in his first break point of the game. A break for the Russian, he’s up a set and a break, 2-1 in the second.

Signs of frustration from Tsitsipas, as he smashes his water bottle to the ground between games. It requires a clean up and the umpire has a word off-mic.

Quick hold from Medvedev, he leads 3-1 now.

Adrian McMurray8.29pm:Medvedev takes first set

A 17-shot rally at 15-all ends with Stefanos finding the net from the baseline. Medvedev has two set points, but errors bring Tsitsipas back to deuce. He gets another set point but serves up a double fault. He follows that up with a 200km/h ace! And Tsitsipas barely gets a racquet to his next serve, Medvedev taking the set at the fourth time of asking 6-4 in 39 minutes. Sam Groth in commentary says he noticed Tsitsipas grabbing at his quad … is this the first sign of the toll the Nadal match took on him?

Medvedev takes the first. 🇷🇺

WATCH: @Channel9
STREAM: https://t.co/TYsz5RZN3Z#9WWOS#AusOpen#AO2021pic.twitter.com/smC90OS0RJ

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 19, 2021

Adrian McMurray8.22pm:Medvedev to serve for set

Powerful service game from Medvedev featuring an ace and three winners. He’s one game away from the set now. Huge hold for Tsitsipas, with Medvedev forcing deuce but Tsitsipas’ serve again gets him out of trouble. Medvedev to serve for the set at 5-4.

Adrian McMurray8.14pm:Quickfire holds

The Russian holds to love – including two aces. Tsitsipas fires back with a dominant service game of his own, Medvedev at one point querying a line call for a Tsitsipas ace. It doesn’t change anything, the Russian still leads 4-3.

Adrian McMurray8.07pm:Medvedev gets first break

We get our first break point of the match in the fifth game, Medvedev with the chance. Big serve gets Tsitsipas out of trouble. But a backhand winner gives him another, and he converts as the Greek puts it long! Tsitsipas only faced eight break points this tournament prior to this match, and he’s had two in that one game. Medvedev ahead 3-2.

Adrian McMurray7.51pm:Opa: Play begins

We’re underway, Tsitsipas serves first up. He’s forced into an error on the first point, and we get our first ‘Opa’ from the crowd after the first point. The Greek community are out in force for Tsitsipas! He holds, 1-0. Stefanos looks good early.

Adrian McMurray7.40pm:Streak, final spot on the line

Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are out on Rod Laver Arena now for tonight’s semi-final. The prize? A date with eight-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the final. There’s no love lost between the pair, dating back to 2018. The Russian beat Tsitsipas in Miami, but a mid-match toiletbreak and no apology after benefiting from a ball that dribbled over the net cord infuriated Medvedev.

It’s all on the line tonight. Medvedev is in the midst of a 19-match unbeaten run dating back to last year. This is Tsitsipas’ second semi in Melbourne, after last making it this far in 2019. Let’s get it on.

Adrian McMurray6.28pm:Stosur, Ebden into mixed doubles final

The Aussies pull ahead 6-1, Stosur making amends for her poor last service game. But Krawczyk/Salisbury draw back to within two … The Aussies lead 7-5. Stosur pushes it into the net and it’s 7-5, Stosur back on serve. Salisbury punishes Stosur at the net … 7-all. Kraweczyk’s forehand volley sails well out on the next point and the Aussies move back to 8-7. She doesn’t blow the next volley though, bringing it back to 8-all. And Stosur hits a huge forehand winner off the Salisbury serve, match point! Ebden finishes it with a winner at the net, Stosur and Ebden are off to the final! They win 7-5 5-7 (10-8). They’ll face Barbora Krejcikova and Rajeev Ram in the final.

Adrian McMurray6.13pm:Stosur, Ebden drop second set

Disaster for Stosur/Ebden! Krawczyk/Salisbury take the second set 7-5. Stosur with three double faults to end the set … And just the single break right at the end. Quite unfortunate. No third set, just a 10-point tie-break.

Adrian McMurray5.33pm:Aussies take first set

Stosur/Ebden have taken the first 7-5. They powered home, holding and breaking to love before an epic final game of the set. Krawczyk/Salisbury had three break points but failed to convert, with the Australians winning the last four points to go one set up in 43 minutes.

Meanwhile Mertens and Sabalenka are the women’s doubles champions, defeating Krejcikova/Siniakova 6-2 6-3 in 1hr 19min.

Adrian McMurray5.18pm:Stosur, Ebden pull things back

Huge turnaround for Stosur/Ebden. The broke back and consolidated to get things back even at 2-all. And they’ve gone in front with a break, battling back from 40-0 down to take the “deciding point” at 40-all (no deuce to ad in mixed doubles). They’re up 4-3. But unforced errors in the next game hand Krawczyk/Salisbury the break back, 4-all. And they consolidate to take a 5-4 lead in another deciding point.

Adrian McMurray4.54pm:Slow start for Stosur/Ebden

We’re underway in the mixed doubles semi between Stosur/Ebden and Krawczyk/Salisbury. It’s not a good start for the Aussies. The Stosur serve is broken in just the second game of the match. They’re down 0-2.

Meanwhile Siniakova is struggling in the women’s doubles final. She’s produced six double faults in her two service games, Sabalenka/Mertens taking the first set 6-2.

In control. 👊

Mertens / Sabalenka take the first.

WATCH: @Channel9
STREAM: https://t.co/TYsz5RZN3Z#9WWOS#AusOpen#AO2021pic.twitter.com/RbXvfXMytO

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) February 19, 2021

Adrian McMurray4.29pm:Women’s doubles final begins

We’re underway in the women’s doubles final on Rod Laver Arena. It’s the Czech pairing of Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova against a couple of very handle singles players in their own right, Elise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka. Mertens/Sabalenka surge to a 3-1 lead in the first, before Krejcikova/Siniakova break back. We’re back on serve, Mertens/Sabalenka leading 3-2.

Adrian McMurray3.30pm:‘I can’t feel my legs either’

Dylan Alcott is a weapon on the court, a 12-time grand slam champion in the quad wheelchair singles. He’s won eight quad doubles titles at slams, too. He’s also very entertaining in front of a microphone.

Dylan Alcott. Picture: Getty Images

The Nine panel review yesterday’s action, including Jennifer Brady’s win over Karolina Muchova as she moved to her first slam final.

“I can’t feel my legs. My legs are shaking. My heart is racing. I don’t have words,” Brady said in the rerun of her post-match interview.

They cut back to the panel.

“I can’t feel my legs, either,” Alcott says. The broadcast crew, audible over the mics, are in stitches. Host Tony Jones appears a little flustered, asking whether there’s a delay. It’s also windy on set, with Todd Woodbridge almost blown off his chair. Things are getting loose on a Friday afternoon in Melbourne!

Adrian McMurray2.50pm:Stosur the nation’s last great hope … yet again

Sam Stosur is again Australia’s last hope at silverware at a grand slam, as she and partner Matt Ebden prepare to take to the court shortly in a mixed doubles semi-final.

Dylan Alcott already locked up two trophies this year in the quad wheelchair singles and doubles (with Heath Davidson), but of the Australians still active in the tournament, Stosur and Ebden are it.

Picture: AFP

The wildcard entrants face American Desirae Krawczyk and Britain’s Joe Salisbury shortly on court three.

It’s crazy to think that even though Australia boasts the current women’s world No 1, and good prospects in Nick Kyrgios and Alex de Minaur, that Stosur – now 36 – is still getting the business done at the latter stages of a slam.

If you’re not a fan of mixed doubles – or any form of doubles really – you’re not alone. Our Sport Editor Wally Mason wrote this questioning the point of doubles tennis. Is doubles really a waste of time, or do you still tune in? Sound off in the comments below.

Courtney Walsh2.15pm:Russian’s exhausting regimen a recipe for success

Throughout a sizzling North American summer in 2019, there was no busier man in tennis than Daniil Medvedev.

The Russian, who will play Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday night in the semi-final of the Australian Open, was on a hot streak. He became only the third man in history to make four consecutive finals in the US summer swing.

Daniil Medvedev. Picture: Getty Images

Nick Kyrgios edged him in a final in Washington D.C. Rafael Nadal got him in the decider of the Rogers Cup in Canada.

In Cincinnati, Medvedev took down Novak Djokovic in a semi-final and then toppled David Goffin to win his first Masters level title. The eyes of the tennis world were on the rangy Russian leading into the US Open.

Medvedev was match fit, lean and wiry and clearly seeing the ball like a watermelon. He looked like a good bet to make a decent run at Flushing Meadows.

Which is why some Australians were blown away when training alongside the then 23-year-old n the indoor courts in Queens just three days before tournament.

Top players treat the weeks before a grand slam as a tapering period. The fitness work is complete. So, too, the technical adjustments.

It is a time to find rhythm on the court but look after the body. Yet here was the Russian running himself ragged across three courts.

Read the full story here.