Australian Open 2021: Daniil Medvedev crushes Stefanos Tsitsipas to set up final against Novak Djokovic

Medvedev served exceptionally well throughout the match, living up to Djokovic’s billing this week as ‘the one to beat’

Daniil Medvedev was too good for Stefanos Tsitsipas (Getty Images)

Daniil Medvedev crushed Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets at the Australian Open to reach the second grand slam final of his career, where he will face world No1 Novak Djokovic. The 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 victory was Medvedev’s 20th successive win and he will try to make it 21 on Sunday to claim his first slam title.

Medvedev served exceptionally well throughout the match, living up to Djokovic’s billing this week as “the one to beat” with a complete performance on the Rod Laver Arena.

The 25-year-old Russian, along with his 22-year-old Greek opponent and US Open champion Dominic Thiem, have long been touted as the heirs to men’s tennis since Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic entered the autumn of their careers, and now Medvedev has the chance to fulfil that promise.

• Read more: Novak Djokovic cruises into Australian Open final

Speaking on court, Medvedev said: "(It was) definitely not easy. (Tsitsipas') match with Rafa was kind of the same score in the first two sets, third set Rafa was dominating so I got a little bit scared and tight because it's the semi-final of a slam.

"For us it's not the 50th like for Novak or Roger (Federer) so it was not easy but I'm happy I managed to turn my game on, especially in some tough moments on my serve and really happy to be in the final."

Djokovic awaits and will be the favourite after dispatching qualifier Aslan Karatsev in straight sets to reach his ninth final in Melbourne, having won all eight of the previous occasions. Victory would move the 33-year-old on to 18 career grand slam titles, only two behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.