How did Hubert Hurkacz make Daniil Medvedev work hard for every single point in their Australian Open quarter-final?

How did Hubert Hurkacz make Daniil Medvedev work hard for every single point in their Australian Open quarter-final?

Hubert Hurkacz's impressive display against Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open quarter-final can be attributed to several key factors:

Aggressive baseline play: Hurkacz embraced a dominant baseline game, challenging Medvedev's powerful strokes head-on. He hit his forehand with flat, penetrating angles, making it difficult for Medvedev to control the rallies. This aggressive approach kept Medvedev on his toes and prevented him from dictating the pace of the match.

Strategic serving and volleying: Hurkacz utilized a smart mix of big serves and deft volleys to keep Medvedev off balance. He consistently landed his first serve, putting pressure on Medvedev's return game and opening up opportunities to attack the net. This prevented Medvedev from establishing his usual rhythm and relying solely on his strong baseline game.

Mental resilience and physical fitness: Hurkacz showed tremendous mental fortitude throughout the match, refusing to crumble under Medvedev's occasional moments of brilliance. He remained calm and focused even when facing break points, saving several with big serves and clutch volleys. His physical fitness also played a crucial role, as he kept pace with Medvedev's relentless baseline hitting throughout the five-set marathon.

Capitalizing on Medvedev's fatigue: Having battled through a five-set match in the previous round, Medvedev showed slight signs of fatigue towards the end of the match. Hurkacz effectively exploited this, upping the intensity and forcing Medvedev to run more, eventually capitalizing on a crucial break point in the fifth set to seal the victory.

Adaptability and changing tactics: Hurkacz displayed impressive tactical flexibility throughout the match. He recognized Medvedev's adjustments and altered his own game accordingly. For example, when Medvedev started targeting Hurkacz's backhand, he opted to hit more slices and drop shots to disrupt Medvedev's rhythm.

Overall, Hurkacz's victory against Medvedev was a testament to his aggressive baseline game, strategic serving and volleying, mental toughness, physical fitness, and ability to adapt his tactics throughout the match. He made Medvedev work for every single point, forcing the Russian to play outside his comfort zone and eventually breaking him down in a captivating five-set battle.