Daniil Medvedev Keeps Marching On, Awaits Stan Wawrinka in the Round of 16
Daniil Medvedev is back where his stellar 2019 season started: in the Australian Open Round of 16, where he had given Novak Djokovic his hardest test en route to the Australian Open title. Another former champion awaits at this stage this year: Stan Wawrinka.
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev qualified for fourth round
Daniil Medvedev has now won 9 of his last 10 Grand Slam matches.
Against Alexei Popyrin, a 20-year-old Aussie that had lighted the Australian Open crowd up in a five-set R3 loss to Lucas Pouille last year, Medvedev knew he had to start strong. The Russian did just that, breaking his opponent immediately and holding his serve to claim a 6-4 first set.
Popyrin never really went away — he had the whole stadium on their feet after a great rally in the third set, see below — but it got easier for Medvedev after that opening set.
Don't rule him out just yet 💥@AlexeiPopyrin99 with this inspired forehand winner in behind Daniil Medvedev.@Channel9 | @espn #AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/sAZiHhVwLH
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2020
The 2019 US Open runner-up tired Popyrin out with his brick-wall defence, manoeuvring him around the court in transition and relentlessly taking advantage of Popyrin’s short balls to finish at the net.
The matter was settled after 1 hour and 47 minutes (6-4, 6-3, 6-2) without it being ever in doubt.
The Russian delivers 🇷🇺
Fourth seed @DaniilMedwed def. Alexei Popyrin 6-4 6-3 6-2 to advance to the round of 16 at the #AusOpen for the second time.
Next up: Former champion Stan Wawrinka 🍿#AO2020 pic.twitter.com/xfARzJY3bs
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2020
In the Round of 16, Medvedev will face Stan Wawrinka, against whom he holds a 2-0 winning record with both matches having been played at Grand Slam level:
2017 Wimbledon: Medvedev d. Wawrinka 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
2019 US Open: Medvedev d. Wawrinka 7-6(6), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
Will Medvedev make it 3 in three different majors? Historically, Wawrinka loves playing in Melbourne perhaps more than anywhere else…
