Daniil Medvedev produced one of the most dramatic turnarounds of the Australian Open 2026, recovering from a two-set deficit to defeat Fabian Marozsan in five sets: 6–7(5), 4–6, 7–5, 6–0, 6–3. The victory sent Medvedev into the fourth round and marked his first appearance in the second week of a Grand Slam since the 2024 US Open.
The match once again underlined Medvedev’s resilience in extended battles — but this time, the ending was different.
A Statistical Pattern — And a Breakthrough
Since the beginning of 2024, Medvedev has trailed 0–2 in sets six times at Grand Slam tournaments. In all six cases, he managed to push the match to a fifth set. However, three of those matches ended in defeat last season.
Against Marozsan in Melbourne, Medvedev finally turned the pattern around.
This was:
- His fifth career comeback from two sets down
- His 10th career five-set victory
- His first second-week Grand Slam appearance in over a year
Why Medvedev Struggled Early
For the first two sets, Medvedev was clearly uncomfortable with the tempo imposed by Marozsan, ranked outside the Top 40 but playing at an elite level.
The Hungarian’s key weapons were:
- Exceptional depth off the backhand
- Consistent pressure close to the baseline
- Relentless pace that denied Medvedev time to reset points
Medvedev struggled to neutralize this rhythm. Even attempts to inject more aggression backfired:
- He admitted earlier in the tournament that he was still adapting to Melbourne’s court speed
- Forced power led to uncharacteristic errors
- His frustration was visible, both toward himself and his team
A slice of misfortune also played a role, particularly during the first-set tiebreak, where a mishit from Marozsan still resulted in a winning point.
The Turning Point: Resetting the Match
After losing the second set, Medvedev recognized that continuing in the same emotional state would lead to another collapse. His own assessment was clear: he needed to calm down and simplify.
Although he was broken early in the third set, the momentum slowly shifted.
Key adjustments included:
- Improved serving efficiency, especially on second serve
- A far more stable and aggressive return
- Greater precision in extended baseline exchanges
Most importantly, Medvedev reclaimed control of rallies. Where Marozsan had dictated play early, Medvedev began setting the tempo himself.
The Backhand Factor
One of the most decisive changes was Medvedev’s backhand — particularly down the line. Earlier, Marozsan’s backhand depth had dominated exchanges. From the third set onward, the dynamic reversed.
Medvedev’s backhand became:
- A rally-controlling shot
- A reliable attacking option
- A pressure point that forced errors from Marozsan
As the match progressed, the Hungarian’s level dipped slightly, especially in key moments near the net, while Medvedev’s confidence continued to rise.
Closing the Door — And Surviving the Final Scare
By the end of the fourth set, Medvedev was fully in command. Even in the fifth set, after briefly surrendering a break, he held his nerve — a scenario that had cost him matches in 2025.
This time, the outcome was different.
Medvedev later admitted that the moment triggered memories of past collapses, but he managed to stay composed and finish the match on his terms.
What Comes Next: A High-Risk Fourth Round
Awaiting Medvedev in the fourth round is Learner Tien, a matchup anticipated since the draw was released.
Their recent history adds intrigue:
- Tien eliminated Medvedev at the Australian Open last year
- Physical issues played a role in Beijing
- Medvedev earned revenge in Shanghai but later called Tien one of the toughest opponents he has faced outside the very top tier
With Tien in strong form, this next match represents another serious test of Medvedev’s physical and mental recovery.
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