Australian Open: Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals after his victory over Maxime Cressy (6-2, 7-6, 6-7, 7-5)

This time he had to work hard. Daniil Medvedev will be there for the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, but on Monday, the world number 2 found someone to talk to in the person of the American-French server-volleyball player Maxime Cressy, 70th at the ATP . The latter, who was discovering the second week of a Grand Slam, pushed the US Open champion to his limits before giving in in four sets (6-2, 7-6, 6-7, 7-5) and just three and a half hours of play at the Margaret Court Arena. The Russian will challenge Félix Auger-Aliassime, who dominated Marin Cilic (2-6, 7-6, 6-2, 7-6), with a semi-final at stake.

Daniil Medvedev passed a new real test in his fortnight. He dropped a first set against Nick Kyrgios in the second round, he dropped a second against a more unexpected but no less dangerous opponent, Maxime Cressy, on Monday. After a great start, the Russian thus had all the difficulty in the world to find the key to the service of the American who impressed by his ability to stick to his game plan against all odds.

104 net climbs for Cressy

For the first time in his career in the round of 16 of a Major, the American was logically tense at the start of the game. Accumulating double faults and constantly under pressure, he quickly gave up the first set. Faced with an opponent of Medvedev’s standing, he could then have collapsed… nay! Finding his rhythm in the service, Cressy, thanks to his impressive wingspan (1.98 m), gradually imposed his short line against a Russian suddenly without a solution to the recovery. And despite the loss of the second set in the tie-break, he continued his effort by winning that of the third 7 points to 4 (6-2, 7-6, 6-7).

So far in control of his emotions, Medvedev has begun to display his frustration. It must be said that the world number 2, yet one of the best raisers on the circuit, did not get the slightest break point during the second and third acts. He thus had all the trouble in the world to return the first slice of the American who multiplied the victorious serves and volleys like Pat ‘Rafter of the great era. In all, Cressy rushed to the net 104 times, for 77 points scored (74% success).

More nervous therefore, annoyed by the opposing precision in the service, Medvedev however made an adjustment which ended up paying off. In the fourth set, he sometimes got closer to his baseline on the relaunch to better cut the angles. Threatened again on his engagement, Cressy was heroic, but he ended up giving in on a supersonic forehand passing at Medvedev’s… 9th break opportunity in this round. The Russian could breathe and conclude in the wake of a final furious forehand winner. Serious things have indeed begun for him.