In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, Daniil Medvedev produced a stunning comeback victory at the Australian Open on Friday, fighting back from the brink of defeat to secure his place in the tournament's fourth round.
A Gruelling Five-Set Battle
The Russian tennis star found himself in serious trouble early in his third-round match against Hungarian opponent Fabian Marozsan, dropping the opening two sets 6-7(5) 4-6. Medvedev appeared destined for another early Grand Slam exit, having suffered first-round defeats in his previous three major tournaments following last year's Melbourne disappointment.
Turning the Tide
Showing the fighting spirit that has characterised his career, the former world number one began his remarkable recovery in the third set. Despite struggling with consistency on serve throughout the early stages, Medvedev capitalised on nervy serving from Marozsan to claim the crucial third set 7-5, breathing new life into his Australian Open campaign.
"He played great and I was like, 'Look, you know what? If I lose, I lose, but I'm just going to try, I'm just going to fight'," Medvedev revealed after the match while enjoying a protein bar. "I do this all the time. I tried to go for it a bit more, because he was moving me all around, so it managed to work."
Complete Dominance in Fourth Set
The momentum shift became a tidal wave in the fourth set as Medvedev produced a masterclass of tennis, sweeping past his opponent 6-0 in just 19 minutes. His deep returns and relentless pressure forced Marozsan into rushed shots and errors, with the Russian's winning streak extending to nine consecutive games.
Sealing the Victory
Although Marozsan briefly threatened a comeback of his own early in the decisive fifth set, Medvedev regained control to complete the remarkable turnaround with a 6-3 final set victory. The match lasted three hours and 43 minutes, testing both players' physical and mental endurance to the limit.
Medvedev revealed an unusual secret to his late-match stamina, explaining: "It happens to me sometimes when you serve for the match, you get a bit tight, a small cramp here and there. It's better to drink some pickle juice and not cramp. So I didn't cramp and I served good."
Camera Message and Revenge Opportunity
As he celebrated another memorable five-set victory at Melbourne Park, Medvedev wrote the words "5 sets again" on the camera lens, acknowledging his penchant for dramatic comebacks at the Australian Open.
The victory sets up a tantalising last-16 clash against young American Learner Tien, who famously knocked Medvedev out in the second round last year. The Russian will now have his opportunity for revenge against the player who has beaten him twice in their three previous encounters during 2025.
Reflecting on the Challenge
Medvedev admitted to struggling emotionally after losing the opening set, saying: "I was not calm after the first set, because I was mad at myself for not doing a bit better. That cost me a bit, it felt really tough to get back into the second set."
Marozsan had taken full advantage of his opponent's frustration during the second set, breaking twice to surge 4-1 ahead and producing what many considered the point of the match with a spectacular reaction volley at the net that saw the ball spin back into his own court.
However, the three-time Melbourne finalist ultimately proved too strong, demonstrating why he remains one of the most dangerous competitors on the ATP Tour when his game clicks into gear.
