Daniil Medvedev will play Rafael Nadal for the Australian Open title on Sunday after defeating Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-final on Friday 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
The Russian world number two reached the Australian Open decider for the second year in succession after defeating Tsitsipas in a solid performance.
“I’m very happy that I had the opportunity to perform here,” said Tsitsipas after the defeat.
“My Greek and non-Greek fans ... Australia has a special place in my heart and I always feel at home here.
"I strongly believe I will be able to do very well here, one day, and give that joy and happiness shared with the fellow Aussies here, and the Greek community.
"It’s a tournament I very much love, and that I want to thrive in one day.”
"Australia has a special place in my heart, I always feel like I'm at home here," says @steftsitsipas.
"I strongly believe I will be able to do very well here one day."#AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/7r97FFjP9c
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2022
Medvedev screamed at the umpire during the match, asking him “Are you stupid” and said much more during his Australian Open Semi-Final, in reference to coaching Tsitsipas received from his father.
A Greek-speaking umpire, Eva Asderaki, was seen sitting under the tunnel out of view of his fathers box during the third set soon after the Medvedev meltdown.
MEDVEDEV BLOWS UP! 😡😡
The Russian has sensationally accused Tsitsipas of being coached and has GIVEN IT to the umpire over it too! 🤯🤯#AusOpen - live on Channel 9, 9Now and Stan Sport. pic.twitter.com/8Xa3qOjvnf
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 28, 2022
She responded immediately and Tsitsipas was given a code violation warning for coaching at 1-1 in the fourth set putting Tsitsipas off his game.
After this Stefanos did not win another point.
When asked about on-court coaching Tsitsipas responded in the post-match interview
“They’ve been targeting me already a long time," he said, adding: "I feel like I’ve gotten a few in the past and the umpires are always paying attention to my box never paying attention to the opponent’s box.
"I feel I have been a victim of that for a long time now.
“The referees, I don’t think they will ever understand that I cannot hear anything when I’m playing because I’m trying to find solutions and try and read the game and recreate the game in my mind before the point starts.
“…Last thing I want is somebody giving me tips and giving me advice on what I should do.”
Tsitsipas on Medvedev’s outburst:
Well, it’s for sure funny (smiling). It’s funny. I don’t pay attention to the stuff. I know players like to do this stuff to throw you off mentally. Could be maybe a tactic. It’s all right. He’s not the most mature person anyways.
READ MORE: Tsitsipas goes viral after “rescuing” ball girl from an insect (VIDEO)
