MELBOURNE/STARNBERG, February 19, 2021

Daniil Medvedev has become the 54th man in the Open Era – and 103rd in history – to reach the men’s final at the Australian Open. The World No. 4 from Russia defeated No. 5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 under the lights on Rod Laver Arena on Friday evening.

Medvedev landed 46 winners, compared to just 21 unforced errors, and won 88 per cent of his first-service points en route to victory after two hours and nine minutes.

“It was definitely not easy, because we saw the match with Rafa was kind of the same score after two sets. [In] the third set, Rafa was dominating but didn’t manage to win the match, so I got a little bit scared and tight,” said Medvedev, in an on-court interview. “It is the semi-final of a Slam… It was not easy, but I am happy I managed to switch my game on, especially in some tight moments on my serve and I am really happy to be in the final.”

Which @DaniilMedwed stat is the most impressive? 🤔
2️⃣0️⃣ match win streak
1️⃣2️⃣ straight wins vs. Top 🔟
Grand Slam final No. 2️⃣#AusOpen | #AO2021

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 19, 2021

Medvedev will face World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s championship match. It will be the Russian’s second Grand Slam title match. The 33-year-old Serbian leads their head-to-head record 4-3 but Medvedev emerged victorious from the last meeting between the two by winning the 2020 Nitto ATP Finals in London.

“I like that I don’t have a lot of pressure because he has never lost in eight finals at the Australian Open. It ios he who has all the pressure to try and get [past] Roger and Rafa for Grand Slams,” Medvedev said.

“For sure he has more experience but he has more to lose than me.”