Medvedev Stages Dramatic Comeback to Reach Australian Open Fourth Round
In a stunning display of resilience, three-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev fought back from the brink of elimination to secure a thrilling five-set victory at Melbourne Park on Friday. The Russian star, who had managed only one grand slam match win throughout 2025, found himself in serious trouble when he trailed Hungarian Fabian Marozsan by two sets to love on Margaret Court Arena.
From the Brink to Brilliance
Medvedev appeared headed for another early exit when he dropped the first two sets 6-7 (5-7) 4-6 against the lower-ranked Marozsan. However, the former world number one demonstrated why he has been a consistent force at the highest level of tennis, mounting an extraordinary comeback to claim the match 6-7 (5-7) 4-6 7-5 6-0 6-3.
"It was getting close to an end," Medvedev admitted after the match. "It was a very tough match, and last year I lost probably all my grand slam matches when I was 2-0 down. Fabian played unbelievable in the first two sets. He played great and I was like, 'Look, if I lose, I lose, but I'm just going to try and fight'."
The Russian revealed that despite the precarious situation, he managed to maintain his focus and improve his game as the match progressed. "I was not calm. Just think about what I need to do. My shots were getting better and better, even the first two sets they were not so bad, and so I did manage to stay calm for sure in the fifth set."
Rematch with Learner Tien Looms
Medvedev's victory sets up a compelling fourth-round encounter against American young gun Learner Tien, who secured his spot with a straight-sets win over Portugal's Nuno Borges. The 25th-seeded Tien triumphed 7-6 (11-9) 6-4 6-2 in just over two hours on Kia Arena, building on his breakthrough fourth-round appearance in Melbourne last year.
"I'm super happy," the 20-year-old American said. "I actually played my third round last year on this court too, so this court's very special to me and I love playing on this court. Really physical match, especially the first set. Super-long first set, it would have been tough for either guy to lose that. So that was really big for me to get that first, and thankfully I was able to carry that momentum through the rest of the match."
This matchup carries extra significance as Tien famously outlasted Medvedev in a five-set second-round battle that extended into the early hours during their 2025 Australian Open encounter.
Alcaraz Continues Dominant Australian Open Campaign
While Medvedev battled through drama, world number one Carlos Alcaraz continued his seemingly effortless progress through the draw with another commanding performance. The Spanish superstar dispatched 32nd seed Corentin Moutet 6-2 6-4 6-1 in just over two hours, marking his third consecutive straight-sets victory of the tournament.
Alcaraz at times appeared to be toying with the Frenchman, showcasing the complete arsenal of shots that has made him one of the most exciting players in modern tennis. However, the six-time grand slam champion knows he will need to elevate his game further in the next round.
Challenging Fourth-Round Test Ahead
Alcaraz now faces world number 20 Tommy Paul, who enjoyed a straightforward passage to the last 16 when his opponent, 14th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, retired with a leg injury. The American was leading 6-1 6-1 when the Spaniard called for medical attention for a left hamstring or thigh issue and was unable to continue.
Despite his current dominant form, Alcaraz acknowledges the challenge that Paul presents. The American has defeated Alcaraz twice before, though not since 2023, and reached the Australian Open semi-finals that same year.
"We have great battles against each other," Alcaraz said of his upcoming opponent. "It's always really difficult to play against him, so he plays great tennis on hard court - aggressive, great touch. So it's going to be a really interesting one."
As the Australian Open enters its second week, both Medvedev's dramatic resurgence and Alcaraz's continued dominance have set the stage for compelling fourth-round encounters that promise to deliver high-quality tennis and intense competition at Melbourne Park.
