Medvedev completes 'lucky' comeback in five-set thriller

Daniil Medvedev has pulled off a miraculous comeback victory to advance to the Australian Open final for a third time, surging back from two sets down against Alexander Zverev.

The world No.3 showed plenty of grit and determination to advance, claiming two tie-breakers in the 5-7, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-3 victory on Rod Laver Arena.

Medvedev will now take on Jannik Sinner in Sunday night’s final, after the Italian star knocked off defending champ Novak Djokovic.

The polarising 27-year-old Russian star fell short in both of his previous attempts in the final at Melbourne Park – but in some positive news, those defeats came at the hands of Djokovic (2021) and the sidelined Rafael Nadal (2022).

Daniil Medvedev has reached the Australian Open final for a third time.

Zverev’s frustration after giving up a two-set lead was on full display late in the match, getting into an argument with the chair umpire in the fourth set and smashing the net in the fifth.

The 26-year-old will be ruing the missed opportunities against his bitter rival, while Medvedev used some ‘mental warfare’ to overcome the early jitters and storm home.

Medvedev will now hope the phrase ‘third time lucky’ can be proven accurate when he faces Sinner, who has been the breakout star of this grand slam and is in red-hot form.

“We say third time lucky, so let’s see,” he said on Nine’s coverage.

“Hopefully it works. I don’t know if you guys in Australia have it.

“It will mean a lot. This court is not my best court in terms of my performance – that’s why many times I have had to dig deep.

“I’m gonna be the happiest man on the planet (if I win).”

Medvedev will take on Jannik Sinner during Sunday night’s final at Rod Laver Arena.