Australian Open LIVE: Daniil Medvedev vs Stefanos Tsitsipas tennis result after Rafael Nadal reaches final

Follow live reaction from the Australian Open men’s semi-finals as Daniil Medvedev defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in four sets to set up a final against Rafael Nadal on Sunday.

Medvedev is aiming to win his second successive grand slam title following his victory at the US Open in September and the Russian overcame a meltdown at the end of the second set to defeat Tsitsipas 7-6(5) 4-6 6-4 6-1 in two and a half hours. After edging the opening set on a tiebreak, Tsitsipas hit back to break Medvedev in the second set, before he launched into a furious rant at the umpire after being incensed by what he perceived to be persistent on-court coaching by Tsitsipas’s father.

However, the world No 2 regained his composure and produced his best tennis of the match to break Tsitsipas in the final game of the third set before running away with the fourth. Medvedev, who apologised to the umpire following the match, is bidding to become the first man in the Open area to win a second grand slam title immediately after winning his first, and he will face another man who is aiming to make history in Sunday’s final.

Earlier on Friday, Nadal remained on course to win a record-breaking 21st men’s grand slam title as he defeated Matteo Berrettini in four sets. It was billed as a tough match for the 35-year-old, but his victory was emphatic and marks his first appearance in a final at a major since winning the French Open in 2020.

Follow for live reaction and scores from the semi-final matches:

Australian Open latest updates

• Medvedev edges first set on opening tiebreak

• Tsitsipas wins second 6-4 amid Medvedev meltdown

• Medvedev breaks Tsitsipas to take the third set 6-4

• Medvedev through to final after 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win

• Rafael Nadal defeats Matteo Berrettini in four sets

• Spaniard going for record 21st grand slam title

Medvedev sets up Nadal final after bad-tempered semi-final win

12:16 , Jamie Braidwood

Daniil Medvedev overcame a mid-match meltdown to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas and set up an Australian Open final clash with Rafael Nadal.

Medvedev’s 7-6 (5) 4-6 6-4 6-1 victory means he will play for a second successive grand slam title after his maiden success at the US Open last summer.

It is also the second year in a row he has made the final at Melbourne Park, having lost to Novak Djokovic 12 months ago.

But much of the attention will focus on Medvedev’s extraordinary rant at the umpire late in the second set, when he accused Tsitsipas of receiving coaching from his father Apostolos.

“I don’t think bad emotions help me too much,” he said afterwards. “Many times I lose the match because of this. As soon as I’d done it I was like, ‘That was a big mistake’, but I’m happy I managed to re-concentrate at the beginning of the third set. I tried my best and I’m happy it worked.”

Full report:

Daniil Medvedev sets up Rafael Nadal final meeting after bad-tempered semi-final win

Medvedev regrets outburst in Tsitsipas win

14:31 , Ben Burrows

Daniil Medvedev expressed regret about his mid-match meltdown in his Australian Open semi-final victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas, admitting: “I just lost it.”

Medvedev’s 7-6 (5) 4-6 6-4 6-1 success means he will play for a second straight grand slam title after his maiden victory at the US Open last summer when he takes on Rafael Nadal on Sunday.

It is also the second year in a row he has made the final at Melbourne Park, having lost to Novak Djokovic 12 months ago.

But much of the attention will focus on Medvedev’s extraordinary rant at the umpire late in the second set, when he accused Tsitsipas of receiving coaching from his father Apostolos.

After double-faulting to drop serve and trail 5-4 and being given a warning for a visible obscenity by umpire Jaume Campistol, Medvedev began to scream at the official.

“His father can talk every point,” yelled the Russian. “Are you stupid? I’m talking to you, look at me. How can you be so bad in the semi-final of a grand slam?”

After Tsitsipas clinched the set, Medvedev had more words with Campistol regarding his coaching complaints, ending by calling the official a “small cat”.

“I think we can say it was funny, but I was definitely out of my mind,” said Medvedev later.

“I was not controlling myself any more about anything, and that’s actually why I’m really happy to win, because many matches like this I would go on just to do mistakes, because you lose your concentration a lot when you get in these heat-of-the-moment things.

“The next game, 15-40, I started terrible. I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I’m just completely losing the fibre of this match’. I’m so happy that I managed to catch it really fast.”

The list of matches in which Medvedev has lost his cool is a long one, and the 25-year-old insisted it is something he is trying to improve.

“I regret it all the time because I don’t think it’s nice,” he said. “I know that every referee is trying to do their best.

“But tennis, we don’t fight with the fists, but tennis is a fight. It’s a one-on-one against another player. So I’m actually really respectful to players who almost never show their emotions because it’s tough. I can get really emotional. I have been working on it.

“So many, many matches, I handle it. I think if we look back at myself five years ago when I started playing, there was less attention on me, but I was just insanely crazy. So I do regret it 100 per cent but, in the heat of the moment, I just lost it.”

Medvedev rants at umpire in Tsitsipas win

13:15 , Ben Burrows

Daniil Medvedev launched into a furious rant at the umpire during his Australian Open semi-final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The Russian, who had just lost the second set in a razor-tight contest, was incensed by what he perceived to be persistent on-court coaching by Tsitsipas’s father.

At the change of ends, Medvedev turned to Jaume Campistol and shouted: “Are you mad? Can his father talk every point? Are you stupid?

“Oh my God, you are so bad. How can you be so bad in the semi-final of a grand slam? Look at me! I’m talking to you!”

Medvedev, who is attempting to follow up victory at the US Open in September in Melbourne, then asked Campistol to issue a code violation to Tsitsipas for illegal coaching: “If you don’t, you are... how can I call it... a small cat.”

Medvedev went on to win the match in four sets to book his place in Sunday's showpiece against Rafael Nadal.

When is the Australian Open women’s final and how can I watch it in the UK?

12:53 , Jamie Braidwood

Ashleigh Barty will look to become the first Australian to win an Australian Open singles title since 1978 when she face Danielle Collins in the final on Saturday.

Barty, the world number one and tournament favourite, has already become the first Australian woman to reach the final of the country’s home Grand Slam since 1980 after she defeated Madison Keys 6-1 6-3 on Thursday to continue her dominant form at Melbourne Park.

The 25-year-old, who has previously won French Open and Wimbledon titles, is yet to drop a set and has lost just 21 games in the tournament as she aims to end Australian’s long wait for a singles champion on home soil.

She will play Collins, who reached her first Grand Slam final with a stunning 6-4 6-1 victory over Iga Swiatek in other semi-final. The 28-year-old American, who is ranked 30th in the world, has returned to the top of the game following endometriosis surgery last spring.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

When is the Australian Open women’s final and how can I watch it in the UK?

Emotional Nadal feared tennis career was over

12:33 , Jamie Braidwood

Rafael Nadal shed tears of happiness and disbelief after going from doubts about his future in tennis to the Australian Open final in little over a month.

The 35-year-old defeated Matteo Berrettini 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena to reach his sixth Melbourne final and 29th overall at a slam.

Victory on Sunday would see Nadal surpass his great rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic and become the first man to win 21 grand slam titles.

Yet for much of the last six months he was unsure whether he would even be able to play competitively again as a long-standing foot problem worsened dramatically and did not improve.

“I went through a lot of challenging moments, a lot of days of hard work without seeing a light there,” said Nadal.

Emotional Rafael Nadal feared tennis career was over before Australian Open run

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas reflects on defeat to Medvedev

12:12 , Jamie Braidwood

“A loss is a loss. I’m a person who tries to fight until the last point but he played better. He played good tennis. I’m able to take only the best out of it - I won’t focus on the negatives. I’ve got a long season ahead of me with a lot of opportunities that I’m going to try and grab. I will always work towards improving mentally, physically, and improve my game generally. I see today’s performance as a lesson that I will use to move forward.”

Australian Open 2022: Medvedev sets up Nadal final

11:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Daniil Medvedev faces an opponent in Rafael Nadal who feels he has nothing to lose on Sunday after coming back from a six-month injury layoff.

An emotional Nadal told Eurosport: “The people from outside, it’s difficult to believe. But the people who are next to me and lived my diary, conditions for the last six months, they find it difficult to understand that I can play at this level right now. It’s difficult to explain but I feel lucky just playing tennis.

“I’m playing with a great attitude, positive feelings and I’m feeling alive again in terms of competitive spirit. I missed that feeling. The pressure is not much for me now. I never believed that I would have the chance to be here today so I am enjoying every moment.”

Australian Open 2022: Medvedev sets up Nadal final

11:50 , Jamie Braidwood

Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal have faced each other four times, with Nadal winning three of those meetings.

That includes the final of the US Open in 2019 - Medvedev’s first grand slam final appearance, but one which saw him come back from two sets down before Nadal sealed a 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 victory.

Medvedev won their most recent victory, though, a 3-6 7-6 6-3 victory in the last four of the ATP Finals.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 4-6, 1-6 Medvedev - Game, set and match!

11:27 , Jamie Braidwood

Daniil Medvedev:

“To be honest I don’t think bad emotions help me too much. When I made it, many times I lose the match because of this. You lose concentration. You lose too much energy. As soon as I’ve done it, I thought, ‘That was a big mistake.’ But I’m happy I managed to get my concentration back in the third set. Down 15-40 I pulled off some serves and it got me back into the match.

“We were even and there were some moments where I missed when I could have had the break, he missed a few at the beginning of the third. And then at 5-4 I found some momentum on his serve to get every ball in and make some passing shots. His energy went down after this and mine went up.

“After the match with Felix [in the quarter-finals] I spoke with my coach and said ‘how do I do this?’ I was dead but I tried to do the recovery well. The next day I wasn’t too bad. To be honest I was more tired than usual but I’m happy today was not five hours so I can look forward to the next one.

“I’m going to play once again against one of the greatest. What’s funny is that again I’m going to play someone going for the 21st Slam [after beating Djokovic in New York]. I think Novak will be watching this one in two days also. Grand slam finals are always special and I played Rafa in my first at the US Open and we played five hours. We’ve played a few matches since then but I am ready to show my best.”

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 4-6, 1-6 Medvedev - Game, set and match!

11:18 , Jamie Braidwood

Stunning. The backhand down the line proves decisive again as Medvedev brings up three match points thanks to a couple of stunning winners.

Medvedev seals the match with another backhand winner planted on the line. The handshake between the players is not overly warm, but that was a commanding fourth set from Medvedev and Tsitsipas could not match his level after the world number two stepped it up in the third and fourth.

He will play Rafael Nadal on Sunday in a mouth-watering final. History will be made one way or another. Nadal is going for a record-breaking 21st grand slam title while Medvedev will be looking to become the first man in the Open era to win a second grand slam title immediately after winning his first.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 4-6, 1-5 Medvedev*

11:17 , Jamie Braidwood

Tsitsipas has his back up against the wall - and a couple of unforced errors including a wild forehand wide don’t help as he finds himself at 30-30.

Big moments now, and Medvedev sets up break point as he matches Tsitsipas’ serve out wide with a stunning return on the same angle, which Tsitsipas puts wide.

And there’s the break - again it’s the backhand down the line that sets it up and Medvedev finishes it off with a forehand winner across court.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 4-6, 1-4 Medvedev

11:12 , Jamie Braidwood

A key hold from Medvedev as he overcomes an early double fault to win the next three points. It’s sealed by an ace out wide and while it’s hard to do anything against that, Tsitsipas is running out of time to find a solution.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 4-6, 1-3 Medvedev*

11:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Tsitsipas’ first double fault of the match is compounded by a brilliant backhand winner down the line from Medvedev to move to 15-30.

Pressure on Tsitsipas now, and he blinks on the serve and volley as he turns the approach shot into the net to bring up two break points.

And there it is - how big could that be. Tsitsipas again misses the first serve and his backhand deserts him as he drops a shot into the net.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 4-6, 1-2 Medvedev

11:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev fires his 12th ace of the match to quickly move to 40-0 on his serve - only for Tsitsipas to find some magic on his backhand down the line.

And again, that’s another nice shot from Tsitsipas, dropping the backhand low as Medvedev approached, with the Russian unable to scoop the volley over the net.

But Medvedev moves on as Tsitsipas makes the error on the Medvedev first serve out wide.

To add to the drama, Tsitsipas has now received a warning for coaching. The tournament referee is sat below the Tsitsipas box.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 4-6, 1-1 Medvedev*

11:02 , Jamie Braidwood

Tsitsipas gets back on track as Medvedev goes long on the Greek’s second serve.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 4-6, 0-1 Medvedev

10:59 , Jamie Braidwood

This is a seriously impressive momentum swing from Medvedev - after his second-set meltdown. He fires off another hold to love and the pressure is all on Tsitsipas to up his level.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 4-6 Medvedev* - Medvedev wins the third set!

10:55 , Jamie Braidwood

Lovely start from Medvedev as he plays Tsitsipas at his own game with a deft backhand drop shot.

Wow - here comes the attack from Medvedev. Tsitsipas approaches the net but Medvedev hits a supreme backhand winner down the line.

Big trouble for Tsitsipas now - and an error out wide brings up three set points! The Greek saves the first with a body serve that Medvedev can’t react to.

But there’s the break, and the set for Medvedev! He goes on the attack again and after Tsitsipas sends up the lob, he fires the smash down into the court.

Tsitsipas gets his racket to it but he can’t keep it in play!

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 4-5 Medvedev

10:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev crashes an overhead smash into the corner to win the first point of his service game, and yep, this one is another comfortable hold too.

Tsitsipas sends a backhand wide before an ace out wide from Medvedev is followed by a powerful strike up the middle, which Tsitsipas can’t return.

Medvedev’s serve is well and truly back and he’s a game away from the third set. Tsitsipas will have to serve to stay in this.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 4-4 Medvedev*

10:48 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev pulls a forehand wide as Tsitsipas gets off to another 30-0 lead in his service game. He holds onto it this time, however, as Medvedev nets and Tsitsipas goes back to the one-two punch with the serve out wide and volley.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 3-4 Medvedev

10:45 , Jamie Braidwood

Tsitsipas nets on the opening point of the Medvedev serve before the US Open champion fires a backhand winner down the line.

That’s followed by a loose one from Tsitsipas and Medvedev seals the hold to love as he meets a Tsitsipas return on the volley and directs it into the corner.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 3-3 Medvedev*

10:42 , Jamie Braidwood

Tsitsipas moves into a comfortable position on serve with a forehand smash into the corner to bring up 40-1, but Medvedev rallies back to deuce as he pins Tsitsipas deep with a combination of forehands into the corner.

Tsitsipas again comes into the net after playing a forehand down the line and guides the winner into the open space - but he can’t get clear after Medvedev sends a punishing forehand onto his backhand side.

A nice one-two punch from Tsitsipas on the serve out wide is followed up by a forehand from Medvedev that drifts long.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 2-3 Medvedev

10:35 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s business as usual for Medvedev, which is quite impressive given he was screaming at the umpire 20 minutes ago. He claims another hold to love after Tsitsipas sent a backhand slice long from his serve out wide.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 2-2 Medvedev*

10:33 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev get a early look at the Tsitsipas serve but the Greek holds his nerve at 0-15 to come up with the serve and volley and win the point.

Tsitsipas lets out a yell as he runs around a forehand and powers it down the line, before holding with his fourth ace of the match.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 1-2 Medvedev

10:28 , Jamie Braidwood

Two aces from Medvedev helps him take a comfortable service game.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 1-1 Medvedev*

10:26 , Jamie Braidwood

Great play from both on the opening point of the Tsitsipas serve as the Greek stretches to reach the overhead and then gets down low to make the volley winner.

Medvedev cranks up the pace of his forehand as Tsitsipas goes long - before Medvedev misses on a short ball at the net as Tsitsipas finally get a break off the net cord.

Tsitsipas nets on a forehand to bring up 30-30 - before Medvedev goes long with a forehand under pressure from the Tsitsipas serve-and-volley.

That was a scrappy game, but Tsitsipas gets out of it with the hold after an ace out wide.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4, 0-1 Medvedev

10:22 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev needs to find his head. And fast. At 15-30, he serves another double fault to hand Tsitsipas two early break points.

The response is impressive though, as he battles back to save both and finds his first serve with an ace down the middle.

Tsitsipas goes long on game point for Medvedev as the Russian escapes with a hold.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4 Medvedev* - Tsitsipas wins the second set

10:19 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev is now off the court after taking a break - but that meltdown at the change of ends of 5-4 was extraordinary.

He was fuming at umpire Jaume Campistol for not cracking down on what he says was illegal coaching from Tsitsipas’ father - Apostolos.

“LOOK AT ME, I’M TALKING TO YOU!” Medvedev screamed at Campistol after the umpire turned away.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 6-4 Medvedev* - Tsitsipas wins the second set

10:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Tsitsipas lets out a roar as he rushes the net and drops a sliced volley past Medvedev to move to 30-15.

On his second serve, Medvedev then goes long on a loose forehand to bring up two set points!

Medvedev saves the first after firing a forehand winner down the line following a lengthy rally.

And Medvedev hangs on as he forces Tsitsipas back and the Greek nets as he slides for the backhand.

That’s a brilliant point from Tsitsipas though, forcing Medvedev wide with a huge serve, before picking the forehand winner down the line.

And there’s the set! Medvedev goes wide on a forehand and we’re level!

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 6-7, 5-4 Medvedev - Tsitsipas breaks!

10:07 , Jamie Braidwood

Tsitsipas fires a forehand winner on the opening point of the Medvedev serve - but the Russian hits back with an ace down the middle.

A return from Tsitsipas drifts wide - but then a double fault from Medvedev, the first of the match, sets up an interesting situation at 30-30.

And what a miss! Medvedev guides a forehand wide of the lines to bring up break point - and there’s the second double fault!

Would you believe it! Out of nowhere, Medvedev hands Tsitsipas the break!

Incredible! Medvedev then completely loses his cool as he rages at the umpire and accuses Tsitsipas of receiving coaching from his box.

“Are you stupid?” he screams. “How can you be this stupid in the semi-final of a grand slam?”

That is not a good look from Medvedev.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 6-7, 4-4 Medvedev

10:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Tsitsipas strikes back as he finds his first serve and holds to love.

These service games either seem to be 15-point epics or holds to love, with very little in between.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 6-7, 3-4 Medvedev

10:02 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev now edges in front after sealing the hold with his sixth ace of the match. Still just the seven points dropped on serve from Medvedev so far.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 3-3 Medvedev* - Medvedev breaks!

09:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Strong first point from Medvedev to drop a low forehand onto Tsitsipas’ feet as he came into the net - but Tsitsipas replies with a serve out wide and volley to move to 15-15.

Here’s a chance for Medvedev though, after getting a break off the net cord. Tsitsipas dropped and Medvedev’s backhand down the line clipped the line, as Tsitsipas volleyed wide.

An error from Tsitsipas brings up two break points for Medvedev. The Greek can’t find the first serve but Medvedev makes an unforced error but a loose backhand on the second serve that drifted long.

And he saves the second too - after a backhand from Medvedev misses the line out wide, another error from the world number two.

This time, though, it’s an error from Tsitsipas on the backhand side that sets up a third break point. He pushed that ball wide under little pressure from Medvedev.

A brilliant second serve from Tsitsipas up the middle saves the third break point - but another loose shot, this time on the forehand side, hands Medvedev another chance.

And there’s the break! After making a solid start to the set, Tsitsipas suddenly gets tight and he’s made to pay for it as he misses a forehand long. Those unforced errors could be so costly.

We’re back on serve.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 6-7, 3-2 Medvedev

09:51 , Jamie Braidwood

And there’s the reply was Medvedev - superb serving topped off by a brilliant forehand crosscourt winner on the run.

Another love service game.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 3-1 Medvedev*

09:50 , Jamie Braidwood

Tsitsipas, serving with the new balls, reels off a hold to love in a blink of an eye.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 6-7, 2-1 Medvedev

09:47 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev gets back to business with a hold to love - showing just how important that break from Tsitsipas was.

The Russian comes inside the baseline and Tsitsipas nets as he looked for the backhand down the line.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7, 2-0 Medvedev*

09:45 , Jamie Braidwood

That’s pretty remarkable. Tsitsipas only won one point on the Medvedev serve in the first six games of the match, only to win four in the first game of the second set after losing out on the opening tiebreak.

Medvedev flashes a winner past Tsitsipas but the Russian is being forced so deep behind the baseline - and Tsitsipas picks out a superb drop shot to move to 40-15.

And the hold is sealed with his first ace of the match. He may be down a set, but the momentum is with Tsitsipas here.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 6-7, 1-0 Medvedev - Tsitsipas breaks!

09:42 , Jamie Braidwood

That is tough on Tsitsipas, but brilliant resilience from Medvedev to come back from 1-4 in the tiebreak. There was very little to separate the two players in that set, with Medvedev having the only break points which all came in the epic ninth game of the opener.

Medvedev moves to 30-15 on his opening service game with a lovely drop shot - but suddenly Tsitsipas fires back to win the next two points and get a break point on the Medvedev serve.

And there’s the break! Out of nowhere, Tsitsipas works Medvedev around the court with a flurry of angled backhands, before guiding the forehand into the opposite corner. Brilliant from Tsitsipas.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-7 Medvedev - Medvedev wins opening set!

09:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Tsitsipas slips slightly on the next serve from Medvedev as he nets the return.

Brilliant from Medvedev! Despite standing miles behind the baseline, he threads a curling forehand past Tsitsipas as he looked to approach the net again. 4-4.

An error from Medvedev next as he sends a backhand inches long of the baseline - but we’re back on serve. Crucial moments now.

Wow - Medvedev catches the line by millimeters as he hits his second ace of the match to move to 5-5, before a stunning backhand winner from inside the baseline hands him set point.

Huge pressure on Tsitsipas now. He finds the first serve but with Medvedev deep behind the baseline - he sends a forehand wide!

Medvedev takes the opening set!

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-6 Medvedev

09:32 , Jamie Braidwood

Brilliant from Tsitsipas! He wins the first point on the Medvedev serve to bring his opponent into the net, before guiding the forehand down the line to take an early 2-0 lead.

Medvedev replies with a first serve - which inevitably wins him the point - before he nets on the Tsitsipas serve up the middle. Medvedev again targets the Tsitsipas backhand in the next lengthy duel - but an error from the Russian as he drifts his own backhand wide sees Tsitsipas go up 4-1.

Medvedev secures the next point with a bullet up the middle, but he’s down 2-4 at the changeover.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-6 Medvedev

09:29 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev moves to 30-0 after a forehand from Tsitsipas balloons long - before Tsitsipas wins his first point on the Medvedev serve after the Russian goes long on the next point!

It doesn’t lead to anything, though, as Medvedev rattles off the next two points to take the hold in a little over a minute.

Into a tiebreak we go.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 6-5 Medvedev*

09:26 , Jamie Braidwood

After the epic ninth game, Tsitsipas is grateful to move on with a comfortable hold to love of his own, with a superb reverse drop shot at the net sealing the game.

We’re heading for a tie-break, unless Tsitsipas can do something special against the Medvedev serve.

Winning a point would be a start.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 5-5 Medvedev

09:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev is still yet to drop a point on his serve. Ridiculous. Tsitsipas is playing well but can’t get close to the world number two, as he takes another hold to love after a Tsitsipas backhand drifts long.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 5-4 Medvedev*

09:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Tsitsipas lets out a huge sigh of relief after claiming a huge hold from 0-40 down. What an epic game - sealed thanks to aggressive play to rush the net and powering Medvedev into retreating behind the baseline. Tsitsipas’ backhand is firing, too.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 4-4 Medvedev*

09:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev gets a slight look on the Tsitsipas serve as he makes a solid return and the opening point and Tsitsipas nets.

The world number two then drops a ball low at the feet of Tsitsipas - before firing the winner into the open court on the run to move to 0-30.

Tsitsipas can’t find a first serve but digs in to the point in the longest rally of the match so far - however, it’s Medvedev who whips a forehand winner after targeting the Tsitsipas backhand and he moves to 0-40 after a 34-shot rally!

Again Tsitsipas can’t find a first serve - and Medvedev is inches away from the break after unloading on a forehand winner down the line. Tsitsipas saves the second after a clutch serve and volley at 15-40, tucking the winner into the open court.

And that’s superb from Tsitsipas - the one-handed backhand stands up as the whips the angled winner into the corner to bring up deuce.

Tsitsipas finds himself in trouble again after an error sees him facing a fourth break point but he finds the first serve at the crucial time.

He then moves clear as he rushes into the net to flash a forehand wide - Medvedev showed great movement to reach it but Tsitsipas read him well to reply with the volley.

Medvedev digs in to bring it back to deuce but Tsitsipas again rushes into the net after sending Medvedev deep - but Medvedev replies on the next point with a stunning backhand winner down the line.

This is an epic ninth game - and we go on.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 4-4 Medvedev

09:10 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev is coasting through these service games - and has still yet to drop a point. Tsitsipas is unable to keep the ball in play in the face of the power of Medvedev, and the Russian claims his fourth consecutive hold to love.

It’s still quite early to call - but we are very much heading for an opening tie-break at this rate.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 4-3 Medvedev*

09:08 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev gets a break off the net cord to win the opening point on the Tsitsipas serve, but the Greek soon replies with a couple of winners and a forehand smash to move clear. He seals the hold with a clever drop volley at the net.

Both players are looking dominant on their serves.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 3-3 Medvedev

09:04 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev goes wide on his first two serves, with Tsitsipas firing long on the opening point and the Russian following up at the net to send a forehand winner into the opposite corner.

Two further errors from Tsitsipas on Medvedev serves wraps up the hold - that took a little over a minute from Medvedev.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 3-2 Medvedev*

09:02 , Jamie Braidwood

Smart play from Tsitsipas, as he again looks to play short, and Medvedev sends his angled return at the net wide.

Finally, at 40-0 on the Tsitsipas serve, a player wins a point against their opponents serve as Tsitsipas nets, but he quickly seals the hold with a forehand winner across court.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 2-2 Medvedev

08:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev races to 40-0 as he places a backhand past Tsitsipas, before the fourth hold to love is confirmed after Tsitsipas looks to pull off a drop shot but hits the net.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 2-1 Medvedev*

08:57 , Jamie Braidwood

Tsitsipas wins the point of the match so far to pop a volley over Medvedev at the net - before he rushes into the net again to send a volley past Medvedev as the Russian looks to find the line. Medvedev goes long on the next point as Tsitsipas seals the third consecutive hold to love.

Neither player has won a point on the other’s serve yet - even though the first serves haven’t been overly dominant so far.

Australian Open 2022: *Tsitsipas 1-1 Medvedev

08:53 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev gets the better of Tsitsipas in the first lengthy rally of the match, as the Greek nets following an exchange of backhand slices. Medvedev returns to the Tsitsipas backhand in the next point and is greeted by the same result, before he gets his first first serve of the match to move to 40-0. Tsitsipas goes long and Medvedev gets a hold of love for his own.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas 1-0 Medvedev*

08:50 , Jamie Braidwood

A very solid opening service game from Tsitsipas, holding to love after a couple of forehands from Medvedev sail long. He got three out of four first serves in play.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas vs Medvedev

08:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Route to the semi-finals

Tsitsipas

• R1: 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 vs Ymer

• R2: 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 vs Baez

• R3: 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-4 vs Paire

• R4: 4-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 vs Fritz

• QF: 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 vs Sinner

Medvedev

• R1: 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 vs Laaksonen

• R2: 7-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 vs Kyrgios

• R3: 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 vs van de Zandschlup

• R4: 6-2, 7-6, 6-7, 7-5 vs Cressy

• QF: 6-7, 3-6, 7-6, 7-5, 6-4 vs Auger-Aliassime

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas vs Medvedev

08:44 , Jamie Braidwood

Daniil Medvedev ins the toss and elects to receive, so Stefanos Tsitsipas will serve first after the warm-ups.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas vs Medvedev

08:41 , Jamie Braidwood

Tsitsipas and Medvedev are both doing their final stretches in the tunnel ahead of the start of the second semi-final of the day.

But, as I write that, the two players pick up their bags and emerge out onto the Rod Laver Arena.

Here. We. Go.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas vs Medvedev

08:34 , Jamie Braidwood

The origins of the Medvedev - Tsitsipas beef dates back to their first meeting at the Miami Open in 2018, when both players were still ranked outside the top 50.

Medvedev won the match in three sets but had been annoyed by Tsitsipas taking a lengthy toilet break before the decider. Tsitsipas is said to have muttered “Bulls--t Russian,” after shaking hands at the net, with Medvedev firing back “Man you better shut your f--- up,” in an iconic tennis line.

Tensions have cooled since, with both players becoming established in the top five, but they could spark back into life at any moment if this semi-final gets heated.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas vs Medvedev

08:18 , Jamie Braidwood

Medvedev was involved in the match of the tournament so far in the previous round as he battled past Felix Auger-Aliassime from two sets and match point down to advance to the semi-finals.

In doing so, Medvedev revealed that he had been inspired by the fighting spirit of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer to spark a comeback, as the Russian attempts to emulate tennis’ big three by becoming the first player to win back-to-back grand slams since they all achieved the feat.

"I've played more times with Novak, like when I started to be good, Rafa and Roger got a little bit injured from time to time so I had more matches with Novak, more practices when I was younger and yeah, some matches he won, some matches I won," Medvedev said.

"Some matches I watched him in the Grand Slams, being two sets to love down with Tsitsipas and Musetti in Roland Garros.

"I was there between the sets and as I say, zero confidence in myself and the outcome of the match. I was like, what would the best players in the world do?

"During all the matches, as soon as I was done a little bit, I was like: Just be like Novak. Show him that you are better. And it won't work every time, because again, he had a match point."

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas vs Medvedev

07:58 , Jamie Braidwood

Tsitsipas is coming off his best performance of the tournament having found his best form to defeat the in-form Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals.

Tsitsipas came into the Australian Open with uncertainty over his form and fitness following elbow surgery and has come through some tight matches, especially his fourth-round victory over Taylor Fritz.

Young Italian Sinner, seeded 11th, was expected to provide Tsitsipas with his biggest challenge of the fortnight but the Greek was in total control from the start and eased to a 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory on Wednesday.

It is the third time in three years that the 23-year-old has made the last four and he will look to emulate his run at the French Open last summer, when he reached his first final before losing to Novak Djokovic.

“We’re just getting started,” Tsitsipas said post-match. “It’s too early to decide whether it was [my best match in 2022] or not, but it was a great performance from start to finish with no doubt and a clear game plan.

“So far it has been the most consistent and the best match I’ve had on the tournament. knew I was going to face a Jannik who was hungry and who wants to show his best out there.

“I was really fired up myself to bring the best out of my game today, and I tried to get my level as high as possible because I knew that I need to form that kind of standard from early on.”

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas vs Medvedev

07:52 , Jamie Braidwood

After Rafael Nadal progressed to a sixth Australian Open final after progressing past Matteo Berrettini, attention now turns to the second semi-final of the day between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev.

It’s set to be another cracker, as Tsitsipas looks to advance to what would be a second grand slam final and Medvedev aims to continue his bid to win back-to-back majors following his US Open win in September.

And to add to the drama, Tsitsipas and Medvedev have a frosty relationship, having clashed on the court earlier in their careers.

“We haven’t really spoken in the last couple of months, but our relationship is competitors on the court and kind of fighting for the same dream,” Tsitsipas said ahead of his ninth career meeting with Medvedev. The Russian has won six of those meetings, including the semi-finals here last year.

Australian Open 2022: Medvedev’s five-set epic to reach semis

07:35 , Tom Kershaw

If you missed Daniil Medvedev’s epic five-set quarter-final against Felix Auger-Aliassime, there should just be enough time to watch the extended highlights.

Australian Open 2022: Nadal revels in Rod Laver Arena atmosphere

07:21 , Tom Kershaw

“Well, as everybody knows I am more an outdoor than indoor player. But, yeah, I think the stadium looks amazing like this closed with the amazing crowd like this is even more noises, I enjoy the atmosphere a lot. I can’t complain at all.I knew before the match that the roof is going to be closed. You know what, a month-and-a-half I didn’t know if I was going to play tennis. It doesn’t matter if it is outdoors or indoors today. I just wanted to play and do my best.”

Australian Open 2022: Nadal defeats Berrettini

07:07 , Tom Kershaw

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Australian Open as the second men’s semi-final gets underway in Melbourne.

If you’re only just waking up, Rafael Nadal is already through to the final after defeating Matteo Berrettini in four sets. The win takes the 35-year-old Spaniard to within touching distance of a men’s record 21st grand slam.

He will face either Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final on Sunday, with the pair’s match set to get underway shortly on Rod Laver Arena.

Nadal withstands Berrettini fightback to reach final

By Eleanor Crooks

Rafael Nadal withstood a fightback from Matteo Berrettini to reach his sixth Australian Open final.

Having scraped through a five-set contest with Denis Shapovalov in the quarter-finals, there were doubts over how well Nadal would have recovered.

Playing under the roof on Rod Laver Arena while thunder rolled around Melbourne, the Spaniard was in complete control for two sets and recovered from losing the third to claim a 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 victory.

Nadal, who feared a foot problem last year would end his career, is now only one match away from becoming the first man to win a 21st grand slam singles title.

The 35-year-old, whose only Australian Open title came back in 2009, said: “I started the match playing great, first two sets have been one of the best since a long time.

“I know how good is Matteo. In the third I knew at some point he’s going to go for the shots. I think I didn’t play a good game with my serve but he played some great shots.

“Then we need to suffer and we need to fight. That’s the only way to be where I am today. It means a lot to me to be in the final again here.”

Seventh seed Berrettini began nervously in his third grand slam semi-final and found his weaker backhand ruthlessly exploited by Nadal, who seemed to be cruising into the final.

Berrettini, the beaten finalist at Wimbledon last year, did not manage to apply any pressure or force his opponent to leave his comfort zone for two sets but in the third things slowly began to turn.

The Italian had played Nadal once before, at the US Open in 2019, and had not created a break point. Finally he managed it in the eighth game of their sixth set.

Berrettini has one of the biggest forehands in the game and a memorable running pass helped him to 0-40 before he clinched the break with another winner.

Nadal had been dominant against Shapovalov at two sets to love up before things became extremely complicated, and the sixth seed was looking significantly less sharp physically early in the fourth.

He dug deep to stay on terms and, when he sensed an opening on the Berrettini serve, he pounced, the Italian saving one break point at 3-4 after the rally of the match only to dump a forehand in the net on the second.

Berrettini has not yet beaten a top-10 opponent at a slam, and the 25-year-old clearly has areas of his game to work on, but this was Nadal’s day.

On the chance of making history with his 21st slam title, Nadal said: “For me it’s all about the Australian Open more than anything else. It’s an amazing event. I’ve been unlucky with a few injuries. I was close a couple of times. I never thought about another chance in 2022.”