Tim Henman feels it will take a long time for Alexander Zverev to recover from grueling five-set Australian Open loss against Daniil Medvedev.
The former British No. 1 also believes that Medvedev will start his final showdown against Jannik Sinner with a fairly humbled tank as he has incurred a significant “deficit in terms of energy” after the taxing five and four-set battles throughout the tournament. Medvedev pulled a Houdini in a remarkable comeback semifinal victory against the German with a 5-7, 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(5), 6-3 finish in four hours and 22 minutes on Friday.
The 27-year-old has now played 3 five-set matches and spent a total of 20 hours and 30 minutes on court is his six matches en route to reaching his third final at the Melbourne Park. In the three-five set clashes, the lanky Russian has prevailed twice after being trailed by two sets to love as he also fought back from the deficit of two sets against Emil Ruusuvuori.
The World No. 3 now holds a 12-7 record against Zverev and has clinched victories in 11 of his last 13 matchups against the German. After beating the German World No. 6, Medvedev will take on Sinner in Sunday’s men’s final showdown. The Italian World No. 4 edged past 10-time Australian Open champion and World No. 1 in four sets in his semifinal battle.
Henman, a former World No. 4 claimed that the defeat will be crushing for Zverev to get over considering the position he was in the match and his relationship and fierce rivalry with the Russian villain.
“It will be hard for Zverev mentally to have been that close against an opponent who [he] has a lot of history [with]. Psychologically the scar tissue will take a long time to recover from this,” the six-time Grand Slam semifinalist told the Eurosport.
“The one person who will be loving that is Jannik Sinner. Medvedev will have to do the best he can in those circumstances and try to recover the best he can tomorrow. But for me, he starts the final with a significant deficit in terms of energy.”
Former world No 7 Schett outlined the adjustment Medvedev made after giving away the first two sets and hailed his abilities on tactical and mental level.
“He was a little bit more aggressive in the third set, the mindset was unbelievable I have to say,” the Austrian said.
“Even in the first couple of sets, he didn’t get too down on himself and gave himself a chance and tried to play point by point. He was a little bit lucky but physically and mentally it was an extreme effort. He is the perfect tactician and he can be very proud of himself.”
Medvedev while talking to Eurosport’s Laura Robson reacted to his incredible triumph and had some words about his brutal route to the final.
“It’s amazing, some matches I didn’t think it was going to happen but today I said in the third set, if I win or lose I want to be proud of myself, try to win the match and if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. I’m really proud of myself,” he told the former British No. 1 and WTA #27.
“I wonder what the record is to make the final after more [time on court]. I will try my best and try to recover. I will try to play my best tennis because for Jannik, you need to play your best.”