What would Novak do? – Daniil Medvedev draws inspiration from Djokovic

Boos greeted mention of Novak Djokovic as Daniil Medvedev revealed his epic quarter-final comeback to beat Felix Auger-Aliassime was inspired by the nine-time champion.

Another night of high tension at Melbourne Park saw the title favourite pushed to the brink before turning the match around to win 6-7 (4) 3-6 7-6 (2) 7-5 6-4 and set up a rematch of last year’s semi-final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

“I was not playing my best and Felix was playing unbelievable, serving unbelievable,” said Medvedev.

“I didn’t really know what to do. I don’t know if you’re going to like this but I told myself, ‘What would Novak do?’ What came into my mind, I just thought, ‘OK, I’m going to make him work. If he wants to win it, he’s going to have to fight until the last point’. I managed to raise my level.”

Djokovic has faded into the background as the tournament has gone on, with his off-court dramas overtaken by those on court, but this was a reminder that Melbourne has neither forgotten nor forgiven the extraordinary events that occurred on the eve of the tournament.

Medvedev had worn the mantle of favourite well following Djokovic’s deportation but it was clear from the start of this match that the US Open champion had his work cut out.

Auger-Aliassime, 21, has begun 2022 with a new steel, helping Canada to the ATP Cup title despite a heavy defeat against Medvedev in the semi-finals.

He matched Medvedev from the back of the court, putting doubt into the mind of the second seed during a series of lengthy exchanges, and two double faults in the first-set tie-break proved costly.

Medvedev looked to his box in exasperation while Auger-Aliassime, who lost in straight sets to the Russian in the last four in New York, pressed home his