It will be an all-Russian quarterfinal showdown between Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev for the second time in the last three Grand Slams when they meet again on Wednesday at the Australian.
They also faced each other in the quarters of the 2020 U.S. Open, with Medvedev prevailing 7-6(6), 6-3, 7-6(5). The world No. 4 is sweeping the head-to-head series 4-0 at the professional level (3-0 on the main tour plus one win at a 2016 Challenger). Medvedev is even perfect in their total sets (9-0).
It goes without saying that Medvedev won’t go easy on his good friend, although he said it anyway following Monday’s fourth-round win over Mackenzie McDonald.
“Of course during the match we’re going to try to win, fight our best,” the 24-year-old explained. “You never know. Sometimes you can maybe even…not fight on the court but, like…argue on the court or something, because we’re competitors. After the match we are great friends.
“(It) doesn’t matter (if we are great friends). If you can win 0-0-0, you’re going to make it. You’re not going to give two games at the end to say, ‘He’s my close friend, I’m going to give him two games.’ If you have to win 7-6 in the fifth, you’re going to try to make it. Same for him. As I said, after the match or before the match–unless there’s a huge fight during the match, which I doubt–one of us going to say congrats to the other one…. For me (it) doesn’t make a difference, to be honest.”
For Medvedev, it hasn’t mattered who is on the other side of the net. He is on an 18-match winning streak that includes an unbelievable 10-0 record against top-10 opponents.
Rublev is the second-hottest player on tour. The 23-year-old is up No. 8 in the world after leading the ATP with five titles in 2020 to go along with quarterfinal performances at the U.S. Open and French Open. So far this fortnight he has not dropped a single set while taking out Yannick Hanfmann, Thiago Monteiro, Feliciano Lopez, and Casper Ruud (the Norwegian retired after the second set on Monday).
But can he play at that same level against an opponent who has owned him in the past?
“It’s going to be new story, new match,” Rublev said. “I take the lesson from [the U.S. Open] match, and that’s it. We’ll see how it’s going to be…. Of course he knows my game, I know his game, but in the end you still need to face each other to see the reality, to see the atmosphere, to see how the things are working or not working, how you’re feeling, and then you adapt.”
Unfortunately for Rublev, adapting is not exactly part of his repertoire. He is generally all power all the time; there is not much of a plan B. Medvedev has more variety, more successful experience at this stage of slams, and is quite simply looking like the best all-around player in this tournament.
Pick: Medvedev in 4
who ya got?
Medevdev in 4 but have this one going to 5 if you exclude the matchup. So 5 sets is a possibility.
Normally this could go to 5 sets because the surface suits Rublev a bit better, but when Russians play each other on big stages the result I think is usually decided before the game starts.
Sure, Medvedev is the better player right now but I don’t expect that he can sustain this form for much longer.
One of them in 3, not sure who. I voted for the outcome that I would expect if this was really decided on court, but I doubt that it will be the case.
Two of Tennis’best young players….Med in 3.
Rublev has dropped a set. Doubt he doesn’t win “at least” a set here given he has likely matured a bit more since the US Open. He’s not going to let Medvedev boot him around forever.
“hasn’t dropped”
Medvedev has Nadal next so he’ll want a flawless performance so it’s going to be tough at the office for Rublev.
Med in 4
Rublev wins a set on his own merits. If Medvedev slips up at all, Rublev will win more.
These guys should be wearing a hat out there. Will get sunstroke in this heat.
Rublev is fair-skinned and not wearing a hat in 35 degrees Melbourne heat. Mad man.
Medvedev has his hand on the trophy. Doubt anyone can beat him when he’s like this.