Medvedev was "destroyed" physically after defeating Hubert

Two-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev claimed he was "destroyed" physically after defeating big-serving Hubert Hurkacz in five grueling sets on Wednesday, but he expected to be healthy for his Australian Open semi-final.

The Russian world number three eventually defeated the Polish ninth seed 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in sweltering heat on Rod Laver Arena after nearly four hours of play. Entering his 100th Grand Slam match, he is currently in the eighth major semifinal, but he has only been able to win one championship, which came at the US Open in 2021.

"After every match, in the locker room I'm destroyed," he said. "But then we do a good job. One day off is probably enough to feel good the next day. So far, so good in the beginning of the matches, and that's what matters.”

The post-match exertion

2021 - 🥈
2022 - 🥈
2024 - 👀@DaniilMedwed is back in the semifinals👇https://t.co/TioyGYuzyG— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2024

Medvedev, who will play in the semi-finals on Friday, said he was still recovering from his second-round five-setter against Emil Ruusuvuori, which ended at 3:40 a.m. last week in a rigorous event.

He claimed to be a player who found it difficult to play in the heat and throughout extended games.

"Sometimes I see some guys, like Hubi (Hurkacz) is one of them, and I see them play five-set matches, 7-6 in the fifth, they seem fine in the locker room," he said. "I'm, like, 'Wow'. Either maybe it's a question of metabolism and it's genetics. I honestly have no idea. I know I get tired.”

Though Medvedev is maybe the best deep-court returner in the game, he went on the attack right away, shattering Hurkacz's serve, which is one of the biggest and best in the league.

Hurkacz was stumbling, so the Russian increased his pressure in the fourth set, taking an early break. However, he erred on the serve at 4-3, allowing Hurkacz to come back, and the match went to a decisive set. Hurkacz's backhand long in the fifth game, when serving at 3-3, was the crucial point of the match as it gave the Russian the break he needed to win.

Image Source: NDTV Sports