It is fitting that Daniil Medvedev has become the first player at this year’s Australian Open to win a match from two sets down.
The Russian’s run to the 2024 final included four matches that went to five sets and a total play time of 24 hours and 17 minutes – the longest time on court at a major in the Open era.
However, during his dreadful run at the Slams last year, Medvedev came back from two sets down in three matches, only to lose them in the deciding set.
And after beating Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan 6-7 (5-7) 4-6 7-5 6-0 6-3 to reach the fourth round on Friday, Medvedev admitted to some nerves.
“Last year, all my Grand Slam matches when I was 2-0 down, I made it to 2-2 and a break up, and then I lost,” the 11th seed said.
“Here, I had a break [in the fifth] and he broke me back and I was like ‘not again’.
“But I managed to stay strong and I’m happy about it.”
Medvedev has now won seven of the 11 five-setters he has played at the Australian Open and has a 10-13 win-loss record in deciding sets.