Two-time Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev fought his way through a challenging match against big-serving Hubert Hurkacz, securing a spot in the potential semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz. Meanwhile, Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska continued her remarkable journey in the tournament.
In a hard-fought contest on Rod Laver Arena, former US Open champion Medvedev prevailed over Polish ninth seed Hurkacz in a five-setter, winning 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. The Russian, currently ranked third in the world, will face either second seed Alcaraz or sixth seed Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.
Reflecting on the intense match, Medvedev, a finalist in the previous two editions, admitted feeling physically drained towards the end but emphasized the need to stay tough. He secured a crucial break in the decider to clinch victory, expressing his determination to give his best despite the challenging conditions.
In the women’s draw, Ukrainian qualifier Yastremska continued her impressive run by defeating unseeded Czech Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4 in just 78 minutes. Yastremska’s victory makes her the second women’s qualifier in the Open Era to reach this far at the Australian Open. She is now set to face either unseeded Russian Anna Kalinskaya or Chinese 12th seed Zheng Qinwen in the semi-finals.
Yastremska, at 23, acknowledged the historic significance of her achievement, becoming the first women’s qualifier to reach the last four at the season-opening Grand Slam since 1978. After her win, she conveyed a message of support for Ukrainian fighters involved in the conflict with Russia.
As the Australian Open progresses, the men’s semi-final matchup between Alcaraz and Zverev looms large. Alcaraz, aware of the challenges posed by his opponent, expressed anticipation for a tough battle, emphasizing the need to bring his best level to the court.
In the women’s draw, seeds have tumbled in the top half, leaving Chinese player Zheng Qinwen as the sole representative. Inspired by compatriot Li Na’s 2014 Australian Open triumph, Zheng draws motivation and recently received encouragement from Li Na herself during a personal meeting in Melbourne.
