Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev found himself wrapped in the embrace of the Melbourne night as he secured a remarkable late-night comeback win at the Australian Open. In a marathon match that stretched into the wee hours, Medvedev overcame the odds to defeat Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 3-6, 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-6 (1), 6-0.
Speaking at 3:45 am on Friday, Medvedev shared the challenges he faced, disclosing that he wouldn’t hit the sack until around 6:30 am. The exhausted but triumphant third seed expressed gratitude to the resilient fans who stayed to witness the epic battle unfold on Rod Laver Arena.
Medvedev, a two-time finalist at the Australian Open, acknowledged the absurdity of having his schedule disrupted by a match that started at 11:07 pm. Despite the inconvenience, he commended the spectators for their staying power, choosing to focus on their dedication rather than bemoaning the circumstances.
“Tough, tough tough,” Medvedev remarked with a rueful smile after the grueling four-hour, 23-minute contest. His post-match interview conveyed his equanimity in the face of adversity, emphasizing his commitment to giving his best despite the challenging circumstances.
When asked about his post-match routine and preparation for the next round against Canadian No. 27 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, Medvedev humorously shrugged and said, “I don’t know, probably, hopefully 6:30? Second question is ‘do I do the physio?’ If I don’t do the physio, I think I don’t go out and play in two days.”
Despite the exhaustion, Medvedev expressed his determination to give his all on the court, stating, “I want to try to win, and I will give my everything, and if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work.”
In a heartfelt moment with the crowd, Medvedev couldn’t help but express his gratitude, saying, “Honestly guys… I would not be here. Thanks for staying. If I was a tennis fan, at one o’clock, I’d say, ‘okay, let’s go and catch the end of the match on TV’. So thanks guys – you’re strong.”
Reflecting on the physical toll of the match, Medvedev mentioned feeling exhausted even before stepping onto the court due to extensive warm-ups during the preceding match. Despite battling a blistered foot and equipment issues, Medvedev’s resilience shone through as he gradually wore down his opponent.
“I’m happy I hung tough,” he remarked with a smile. “This one is going to for sure stay in my memory.” Medvedev’s midnight triumph adds another chapter to the captivating drama of the Australian Open, showcasing the determination and spirit of a top-tier athlete.
Medvedev at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2024
Ranked world no.3, Medvedev has managed to achieve a 2-0 record in 2024. The Russian is playing at the moment at the Australian Open where he managed to beat the world no.144 Terence Atmane 5-7 6-2 6-4 1-0 ret. and the world no.53 Emil Ruusuvuori 3-6 6-71 6-4 7-61 6-0.
Daniil Medvedev will face the world no.30 Felix Auger-Aliassime in the 3rd round on Saturday at 7:00 pm on Margaret Court Arena. Their record is 6-0 for Medvedev.
Daniil won 20 titles in his career: 10 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts, 8 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Daniil Medvedev |
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