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Russian world number 4 Daniil Medvedev extended his winning streak to 19 matches after beating compatriot Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.
Medvedev dismantled Rublev, who was his ATP Cup teammate when Russia won the tournament earlier this month, in what was a pretty one-sided affair over Rod Laver Arena. Medvedev will now play his first semi-final at Melbourne Park.
The 25-year-old will await the winner of tonight’s quarter-final as Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas face off at Rod Laver Arena.
Seeded No.4 Medvedev has not lost a single set to No.7 seeded Rublev in four round-level matches, which includes their encounter in the US Open quarterfinals. last year.
Medvedev after the game surprisingly asked the coach to massage his upper legs as he sat in a chair near the pitch before a TV interview.
“The first time. I think I’ve never seen him either,” he said, questioned on his legs during the on-pitch interview.
“I went to the bench in the last game of the game. I started to have cramps.”
While Rublev, who seemed to be struggling to make it through the Melbourne heat, sometimes struggled to stand.
Towards the end of the match, he cut a ghostly figure as he battled heat exhaustion, prompting Egyptian tennis journalist Reem Abulleil to comment that he
looked dead “.
Medvedev admitted he was “happy enough” to have left his struggling Russian counterpart to take comfort in the field.
“I knew he was having cramps too so I had to not show it. I think I’m one of the first players to make Andrey so tired so I’m pretty happy with it. One of the best games I’ve ever played. ‘ve played, “Medvedev added.
“At the end of it, I completely locked … last three points as I prepared for the serve.”
Rublev admitted it was a tough day for him mentally as he failed to take advantage of the only two opportunities that presented themselves.
“Mentally it was of course difficult because you always feel like you can’t lose your focus because as soon as you lose your focus it will be over,” Rublev told reporters.
“Like I said, I think today he was a lot better than me. I mean, not maybe a lot better, but he was better because he beat me in straight sets. only two chances I had, it’s 5-very first set and 3- every second sets, and that’s it.
“But still, I don’t even know if I would make it. Okay, maybe I win a set and then I’ll lose the game again. I can’t say it was like a turning point or something like that. I had two chances that I didn’t have today, but it’s tennis, that’s part of it. “
Rublev’s difficulties have sparked many reactions on social media:
– with AP
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