A resilient Daniil Medvedev cruised past Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp on Saturday as he inches closer to the Australian Open title after going down to Novak Djokovic in last year’s decider.
The world No. 2 cemented his status as the tournament favourite after clinching the 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 win in just under two hours to advance to the fourth round for the fourth straight year.
Daniil Medvedev is through to the fourth round.Credit:AP
Medvedev faced little of the hostility from afternoon spectators in Margaret Court Arena that he copped two nights previously while playing Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in prime time.
“It’s easier to play a guy from the Netherlands than it is to play a guy from Australia in Australia, in Melbourne,” he said afterwards of his precarious relationship with Melbourne Park crowds.
“Every good relationship must have its ups and downs, so I think it’s good. It’s entertaining and it’s real. I hope it’s going to be more good times than bad times, otherwise it doesn’t work.″
The Russian had been visibly frustrated with jeering from the stands during the Kyrgios encounter, including the “siuuu” chant which Australian fans have adopted from footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and sounds a lot like booing.
He later complained the behaviour was “disappointing”, especially when people called out between points. “It’s not everybody who is doing it, but those who are doing it probably have a low IQ,” the world No. 2 said in comments that put the spotlight on crowd etiquette at the Australian Open.
Medvedev will play Maxime Cressy in the fourth round after the American dispatched Australian wildcard Christopher O’Connell 6-2, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday.
Meanwhile, in the men’s draw, Canadian ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime also defeated Dan Evans of Britain in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1, 6-1. It’s the 21-year-old’s third Australian Open but the young gun is on a grand slam roll, having made the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the semi-finals of the US Open in 2021.
Medvedev makes peace with Melbourne crowd as he cruises into fourth round
Source: Philippines Alive
