Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev Preview & Prediction | 2024 Australian Open | Semi-Final
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THE FACTS
When is Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev on and what time does it start? Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev will take place on Friday 26th January, 2024 – not before 08:30 (UK)
Where is Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev taking place? Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev will take place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia
What surface is Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev being played on? Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev
What channel is Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev on in the UK? Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev will be televised live on Eurosport
Where can I stream Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev in the UK? Eurosport subscribers can stream Daniil Medvedev vs Alexander Zverev live on their website
THE LOWDOWN
DANIIL MEDVEDEV
World number three Daniil Medvedev battled tough heat conditions and a serious serve in Hubert Hurkacz on Wednesday, overcoming the Pole in five tight sets. The 27-year-old has so far dropped sets in four of five matches played at the Australian Open but he came to Melbourne without a warm-up tournament in his legs to favour freshness over practice, which so far looks to have worked. Medvedev is one win away from a fifth Grand Slam final, with his only major title to date coming against Novak Djokovic at the US Open in 2021. The Russian finished runner-up here in successive years, to Djokovic in 2021 and Rafael Nadal in 2022, with his first major defeat also coming against Nadal at the US Open in 2019.
ALEXANDER ZVEREV
World number six Alexander Zverev produced a serving masterclass on Wednesday to stun a pretty careless Carlos Alcaraz in four sets. The 26-year-old produced a first-set in percentage of 85% and a win percentage of 73% against a two-time Grand Slam champion in Alcaraz to look a very serious dark horse in Melbourne all of a sudden, although there are concerns over his fitness after a tough campaign here followed playing all 10 matches at the United Cup earlier this month. Zverev lost his only previous Grand Slam final to Dominic Thiem at the US Open in 2020, from two sets up, but he came back strongly the following season to win Gold at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
THE PREDICTION
This is the first ever Grand Slam clash between fierce rivals Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, with the Russian leading their stories head-to-head record 11-7. Surprisingly, Medvedev won both of their encounters on clay, nominally his weakest surface, but both came last spring in Monte-Carlo and Rome, the latter of which he went on to win at the peak of his powers, whilst Zverev was still recovering from an injury lay-off. That sees Medvedev lead their hardcourt head-to-head 9-7 to look the reasonable favourite here but it is worth noting that the Russian has won five of their last six, all coming last season, against the initially recovering and then resurgent German.
There is no love lost between the two after a series of off-court back-and-forths, although Medvedev will be eager to gain the latest laugh here after his portrayal as the villain of the piece in a rather tactless episode of Netflix’s Break point that came out recently. Both players bring battle-hardened form into this enticing clash but the late-night conditions better-suit Medvedev, who hates playing in the Melbourne sun, and Zverev’s feet looked to be a concern during his four-set scrap with Carlos Alcaraz. Based on recent form, conditions and relative fitness back Medvedev to find a way through this likely marathon match. Otherwise, consider this a reasonable candidate for a five-setter and add at least a tiebreak for good measure. There has been at least one tiebreak in three of their last four matches.
TIP: DANIIL MEDVEDEV TO WIN (AND OVER0.5 TIEBREAKS)
