Australian Open: Medvedev battles to reach semis, Yastremska cruises

In Melbourne, Daniil Medvedev seized the limited opportunities presented by Hubert Hurkacz to secure a spot in the Australian Open semi-finals on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Dayana Yastremska made a significant achievement for the new generation by reaching the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time.

Medvedev, the third seed, who had experienced consecutive losses in the 2021 and 2022 Melbourne Park finals, moved a step closer to returning to the title clash with a 7-6(4) 2-6 6-3 5-7 6-4 victory over Polish player Hurkacz. Although he appeared poised to wrap up the match in four sets, Hurkacz gained confidence and forced a decider. In the final set, Medvedev broke for a 4-3 lead, acknowledged the applause, and served out to secure the win.

“I knew how ‘Hubi’ could play, and he played quite well. I felt like I had a small chance in almost all the games, probably except 2-0 in the first set,” Medvedev said. “I managed to take it, so I’m really happy and proud about that. Because with him, you don’t get many chances.”

The former U.S. Open champion, who has sometimes struggled to win over the crowd, received great support in Melbourne this year and hopes to ride that momentum when he faces Carlos Alcaraz or Alexander Zverev in the semifinals.
Spanish second seed Alcaraz will meet his German opponent in the final match of the day on Rod Laver Arena after China’s Zheng Qinwen completes her match with Russian Anna Kalinskaya.

Organizers breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday as the day session finished on schedule. On Tuesday, epic matches involving holder Novak Djokovic and U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff led to the action spilling over into the evening.

Yastremska ensured things stayed on track with a swift 6-3 6-4 victory over giant-killing Czech Linda Noskova, becoming the first women’s qualifier to reach the last four since the 1978 tournament. The Ukrainian world number 93, who had already defeated Grand Slam champions Marketa Vondrousova and Victoria Azarenka, will face either 12th seed Zheng or world number 75 Kalinskaya in the next round.