Grand Slam tournament winners including Naomi Osaka, Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams withdrew from their fonnup events, the focus of the Australian Open, long before Alexander Zverev hit his back in the second set of the Cup match. His ATP against Daniil Medvedev.
He left the court for treatment on Saturday and returned, bringing the game to three sets before Medvedev finally turned around to secure Russia’s win over Germany and a place in the finals.
No. 4 raised Medvedev’s status as Zverev started to struggle but eventually became tense, twice with two sides on the point of the game before finally serving for 3-6, 6-3 , 7-5. win. Andrey Rublev defeated Jan-Lennard Struff 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 earlier.
“A deceptive game,” Medvedev said. “I will be happy to win even if I didn’t enjoy many things. The most important thing is to win for the country and be in the final. ”
Russia will meet Italy in the final after Fabio Fognini defeated Pablo Carreno 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 and Matteo Berrettini won 6-3, 7-5 over Roberto Bautista to describe second place in Spain 2020.
Rafael Nadal did not play at level 2 for Spain during the week due to a lower back injury but made the practice and is expected to be fit for the Australian Open.
Zverev helped Germany to a 2-1 win over defending Serbia in the quarter-finals, going back from a narrow loss to top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the singles with a win in the decision doubles .
In the semis, he was on top early but after receiving a medical interval for treatment in the second set, he did not move or attend as quickly.
Alexander Zverev of Germany, right, and Jan-Lennard Struff congratulate Serbo Nikola Cacic and Novak Djokovic, left, after their ATP Cup double in Melbourne, Australia on Friday. , February 5, 2021. (AP Photo / Hamish Blair)
Medvedev broke his service in the last game, and Zverev chased a racquet in harassment.
“It helped me start moving more slowly, serving slower in the second set,” Medvedev said.
“I felt like at the start of the third, I could stay in front and make the game easy. But in the heat of the game, he started to feel better. I had to stay there as long as I could. ”
MUGURUZA FINALLY
A day after defeating 2020 champion Sofia Kenin in a replay of last year’s Australian Open final, Garbine Muguruza defeated Marketa Vondrousova 6-1, 6-0 in eighth place to final. set against Ash Barty at the Yarra River Classic.
“Very pleased that it is another final,” said Muguruza. “I paid well today. My service was working at the right times. ”
She knows she needs to take action against Australian star Barty with the public no matter how small it may be in the COVID-19 pandemic on her side.
“Very interesting. Always good to play the top players, ”said Muguruza. “We have had some difficult games. I am expecting another battle. ”
Barty had his day off after Serena Williams withdrew Friday night from their game, citing a sore shoulder.
Williams attended a press conference instead, and said she felt good for her photo at the 24th Grand Slam title.
“I’ve already had a lot of treatment on my shoulder but I’m very confident it will be good,” said Williams.
“So I feel very confident, I think it’s a better word, and getting ready for hope the next couple of weeks.
“It’s definitely something I have to deal with for (two weeks) and I know I helped enter the competition.”
TROPHY GRAMPIANS
Fifth-seeded Maria Sakkari defeated three-time top winner Angelique Kerber 6-4, 6-2 in a relegation opener at Margaret Court Arena to reach the Hill Cup semifinal against No. 6 Anett Kontaveit, who got a walk in the quarterfinals when Azarenka pulled back with a lower back problem.
TROPHY GIPPSLAND
Osaka No. drew. 3-stage out of her semifinal Gippsland Trophy against Elise Mertens after a shoulder caused her problems this week.
Osaka won the US Open in 2018 and last year and won the Australian title between them, in 2019. She said she has had a little shoulder since the likes of 2018 and needs to rest ahead of the Grand Slam. The pullback takes Mertens walk into the final.
“It became very similar again because I played, like, a number of back games. But, yes, for me, my main focus is, like, the hope that I can relax enough before the Open, ”said Osaka.
Organizers hosted six tournaments this week to prepare high-end matches for all players flying into Australia and requiring quarantine for 14 days.
It was suspended 24 hours a week when 507 people, including 160 players, were forced to revert to loneliness and be tested as a hotel quarantine worker was caught with the crown virus. meaning the semifinals and finals went into the final weekend.
“I would say it’s a factor because, for me, I don’t usually play the tournament just before a Slam,” Osaka said.
“But I felt there was a real need to introduce games. I think everyone felt that way.
“I’m kind of sad that I couldn’t play today. But I think it’s the right decision. ”