Sunday at the Australian Open will be marked by a long-awaited confrontation between Daniil Medvedev and Learner Tien. The winner will face Alexander Zverev or Francisco Cerundolo in the quarterfinals.
(11) Daniil Medvedev vs. (25) Student Ten
The rematch has begun as Medvedev and Tien will face off at the Australian Open for the second year in a row – this time in the fourth round on Sunday. They faced each other in the second round 12 months ago, when Tien pulled off a 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-7(8), 1-6, 7-6(10-7) upset in an instant classic. They met twice more last season, with Tien advancing via a third-set retirement in the Beijing semi-finals before Medvedev won 7-6(4), 6-7(1), 6-4 at the Shanghai Masters.
The 29-year-old Russian has given himself a chance for revenge at the Aussie Open, but it wasn’t easy. After mostly fast work from Jesper de Jong and Quentin Halys, Medvedev was two sets and a break behind Fabian Marozsan in the third set on Friday. However, the three-time Melbourne runner-up stormed back for a 6-7(5), 4-6, 7-5, 6-0, 6-3 win. Tien needed five sets in his opening match against Marcos Giron but upped the pace to beat Alexander Shevchenko and Nuno Borges with ease. With both boys playing well, another five-set marathon could be in store. This time it may be Medvedev who has the edge, as the former world number 1’s confidence has been restored and he can win more free points with his serve than Tien in the high-pressure moments.
Choice: Medvedev in 5
(3) Alexander Zverev vs. (18) Francsico Cerudolo
Zverev and Cerundolo are also known enemies. Sunday marks their sixth meeting, four of which have taken place in the past eleven months. Cerundolo once led the mutual series 3-0, but the tide has turned. Zverev, whose losses came only on clay, had a 6-4, 1-0 lead when Cerundolo retired at the Toronto Masters and beat the German 6-4, 7-6(3) at the Davis Cup Finals.
A hard court should again be in Zverev’s favor, especially in Melbourne. The world number 3 is at this tournament with a score of 34-10, with one second place (last year), two semi-finals and one quarter-final. So far this week he has dismissed Gabriel Diallo, Alexandre Muller and Cameron Norrie all in four sets. Cerundolo has advanced with direct losses to Zhizhen Zhang, Damir Dzumhur and Andrey Rublev. The 21st-ranked Argentine is always dangerous because he wields one of the biggest forehands on tour, but at Grand Slams he rarely manages to get over the hurdle against much higher-ranked opponents.
Choice: Zverev and 4
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