The 3rd seed Daniil Medvedev barely survived the second-round clash at the Australian Open. Daniil overpowered Emil Ruusuvuori 3-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 6-0 in four hours and 23 minutes, wrapping up an impressive victory at 3:40 am! Two rivals kicked off the clash at Rod Laver Arena at 23:15 and pushed each other to the limits for the third-latest Australian Open finish. Medvedev stayed competitive after falling two sets to love behind, emerging at the top and notching his third victory from 0-2, the second in Melbourne. Daniil fired 23 aces, playing better behind the first serve but struggling on the second. Each fired 50 winners, and the Finn sprayed more errors, counting 74. The Russian seized eight of 16 break points, three in the decider, and defended 13 break points, doing enough to cross the finish line first. Emil failed to seal the deal in the fourth set’s tie break, struggling physically and experiencing a bagel in the decider after taking a medical timeout.
Emil Ruusuvuori, Australian Open 2024© Kelly Defina / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
They stayed neck and neck in the shortest and mid-range rallies, and Medvedev forged the advantage in the most advanced exchanges. Emil survived one challenging service game in the opener and moved in front with a single break. Daniil squandered a game point in the encounter’s second game and netted a backhand to experience an early break. World no. 3 sprayed a forehand error in the third game, falling 3-0 behind after swift ten minutes. Ruusuvuori denied three break points in the fifth game and missed a break opportunity in the next one when his forehand landed long. Daniil held at 15 in game eight to prolong the set before Emil closed the opener with a hold at 5-3 after 42 minutes. The second set lasted 80 minutes, and Medvedev squandered a massive opportunity to level the overall score. Daniil grabbed four straight games for a 5-3 lead and blew three set points on the return in game ten before dropping the tie break. The Russian missed a forehand at the beginning of the second set and suffered a break.
Daniil Medvedev came from two sets to love down against Emil Ruusuvuori.
World no. 3 fired an ace in game three, defending a break point and staying within one break deficit. Medvedev saved another break point in game five with a forehand winner and closed the game with a crafty volley winner for 2-3. The Russian gained a boost and kicked off his comeback with a break in game six. Ruusuvuori netted a backhand in the eighth game, losing serve for the second time in a row and allowing Medvedev to serve for the set at 5-3. Emil pulled the break back at the last moment, firing a forehand winner in the ninth game to prolong the set. The Finn worked hard in the tenth game, fending off three set points and locking the result at 5-5 with a service winner. They served well in games 11 and 12, introducing a tie break. Daniil asked for a medical timeout for a blister and did not play well in the decisive moments. Emil moved 3-0 u with a forced error and landed a beautiful volley winner to extend his streak.
The Finn fired a backhand winner for 6-1 and seized the first set point after the Russian’s backhand error, moving two sets to love in front after two hours and five minutes. With no room for errors, Medvedev defended a break point at 0-1 in the third set and launched an impressive comeback from the verge of defeat. Daniil broke in the fourth game after Emil’s double fault and secured another return game at 3-1 when his rival netted a routine backhand. The Finn pulled one break back in game six and reduced the deficit to 4-3. The Russian fired an ace on a break point in game eight, bringing it home and closing the set after his rival’s terrible backhand at 5-4, prolonging the duel after two hours and 54 minutes. The fourth set saw another tie break, lasting an hour and delivering more drama. Daniil started the set with a break at love, with the clock showing the three-hour mark. The Russian denied three break points in the second game and two more at 2-1, refusing to give the lead away.
Daniil Medvedev, Australian Open 2024© Kelly Defina / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
Emil stayed composed and pulled the break back in game eight, locking the result at 4-4 and hoping for more return chances. They served well in the following four games, arranging a tie break. Daniil forged a 4-0 lead and landed two service winners for 6-1. World no. 1 seized the first set point after the rival’s mistake, forcing a decider after three hours and 53 minutes. The deciding set turned into an anticlimax, with Medvedev as the only player on the court. The Russian claimed 24 out of 32 points, delivering a bagel and moving over the top in style. Emil netted a routine forehand in the second game and moved further behind after Daniil’s forehand drive-volley winner. Ruusuvuori received a medical timeout on his right shoulder and sprayed a forehand error in the fourth game to lose serve at love. Medvedev clinched the fifth game with a forehand down the line winner, opening a 5-0 lead and forcing his rival to serve to stay in the match. Emil sprayed another error in game six, experiencing a bagel and pushing Daniil into the third round.
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