Of all the campaign speeches Daniil Medvedev could have given after advancing to the Australian Open semi-finals, “Be like Novak” was perhaps an ill-advised selection. The reference to men’s world No 1 Djokovic, and the ensuing boos, was a jarring reminder of all the controversy and drama that dominated the build-up to the opening grand slam of the year, and which had largely been left behind once the on-court action began.
Djokovic’s absence threatened to cast a shadow over the men’s tournament but the void has been filled by two weeks of gruelling, competitive and largely unpredictable matches, resulting in a final four and two semi-finals of the highest, available, order. All four semi-finalists – Medvedev, Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Berrettini – have survived five-set epics in the second week. There are sure to be more to come.
