Player of the Day: Daniil Medvedev

WATCH: "What would Novak do?" Daniil Medvedev (RUS) speaks with media following his 2022 Australian Open quarterfinal win.

Medvedev's Vitals

• Age: 25
• Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
• Turned Pro: 2014
• Highest Ranking: 2 (3/15/21)
• Racquet: Tecnifibre T-Fight 305 RS (Click to purchase on TennisPoint)

When you’re the top seed at the Australian Open and you find yourself down two sets to love and facing a match point on Rod Laver Arena, your historic title quest under fire by an inspired opponent with nothing to lose—what do you do?

According to Daniil Medvedev, the solution is simple: “I told myself, what Novak [Djokovic] would do?”

The World No. 2 snatched away victory from the jaws of defeat after escaping No. 9 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in a dramatic 6-7(4), 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-5, 6-4 marathon win. The Russian was a few points from defeat in the third set, and then later faced a match point on his own serve at 4-5 in the fourth set.

But no matter the adversity, Medvedev passed each test with flying colors: he reeled the third set back by dominating the tiebreak, and responded to the Canadian’s brush with match point by winning six of the next seven games, effectively sealing the match.

In the absence of nine-time winner Djokovic, the US Open champ serves as the standard-bearer for the men’s draw—and he’s done nothing but deliver. The Russian has been on song as he’s made his way through a variety of opponents, from the heavy-hitting fan favorite Nick Kyrgios, to the tricky serve-and-volleyer Maxime Cressy, to the talented Auger-Aliassime.

And like Djokovic so often is, Medvedev too is looking to write his name into the tennis history books in Melbourne: should he win the tournament, he’ll become the first man in the Open Era to win the title at his next Grand Slam event.

Medvedev stayed on track to do just that as he advanced to the semifinals, where he will face No. 4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.