By Richard Pagliaro
A streaking Daniil Medvedev continues serving up misery Top 10 opponents—and Stefanos Tsitsipas says his dominant delivery has hit new heights.
ATP Finals champion Medvedev defeated Tsitsipas for the sixth time in seven matches 6-4, 6-2, 7-5, powering into his first Australian Open final.
Djokovic: Peaking For Final
In a commanding serving performance, Medvedev cracked 17 aces—14 more than his opponent— won 88 percent of his first-serve points, stamped five love holds and saved two of three break points in an impressive two hour, nine minute victory.
It was Medvedev's 20th consecutive victory and 12th straight win vs. the Top 10.
Tsitsipas says the 6'6" Russian's serve is so imposing it's now on a John Isner level.
"Let me tell you that he's a player who has unlocked pretty much everything in the game," Tsitsipas told the media in Melbourne. "It's like he's reading the game really well. He has this amazing serve which I would describe close to John Isner's serve.
"And then he has amazing baseline which makes it extremely difficult. So even if you return the serve, you don't guarantee that you're going to win the point. You have to really work hard for it. It's difficult...
"He tricks you. You know, he plays the game really smart. It's really interesting to see that."
The fourth-seeded Medvedev has dropped just two sets in six tournament wins reaching Sunday's final vs. eight-time AO champion Novak Djokovic.
Medvedev rolled through Andrey Rublev, who led the ATP with five titles in 2020, and Tsitsipas to reach his second career final.
The top-seeded Djokovic has hit a tournament-best 100 aces, while Medvedev leads the tournament with 35 breaks of serve.
Tsitsipas suggests the final is a true toss-up.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see Daniil win the tournament," Tsitsipas said. "But, you know, it's a strange scenario. I played Rafa here two years ago. I found his performance against me that day phenomenal. I was 100% sure he was gonna win the tournament. And I ended up being wrong.
"Who knows? I don't know. Like, Djokovic is playing well too. Look, I'm not a betting website. I don't know what to say. Might be Medvedev, would be good for him, good for tennis."
Photo credit: David Gray/Getty