Daniil Medvedev sinks Andrey Rublev for first Australian Open semi-final

Daniil Medvedev ousted Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 in two hours and five minutes in an all-Russian affair, advancing to his first Australian Open semi-final and extending the winning streak to 19.

It was the encounter between two undefeated players in 2021 so far, and the better-ranked rival had the upper hand from the opening set's closing stages. Struggling in harsh Melbourne conditions, Rublev served under 50% and got broken five times, earning one break on the other side and finishing his run in the quarters. Medvedev hit 30 winners and 33 unforced errors, taming his strokes nicely and playing better and better as the encounter progressed to enter the last four.

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They traded breaks in games six and seven of the opener before Medvedev earned a break at love at 6-5 to secure the set in 46 minutes. Daniil fended off three break chances at 3-3 in set number two, grabbed a break in the next one and held at love for 6-3 and another big step towards the finish line. With nothing left in the tank, Rublev suffered two early breaks in the third set and allowed Medvedev to move over the top with a hold at 5-2, despite problems with cramps in that final game.

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