Gutsy Medvedev Outlasts Hurkacz to Reach Melbourne Semis 

Russia's Daniil Medvedev celebrates victory against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz after their men's singles quarter-final match on day 11 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 24, 2024. (AFP)
Russia's Daniil Medvedev celebrates victory against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz after their men's singles quarter-final match on day 11 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 24, 2024. (AFP)
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Gutsy Medvedev Outlasts Hurkacz to Reach Melbourne Semis 

Russia's Daniil Medvedev celebrates victory against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz after their men's singles quarter-final match on day 11 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 24, 2024. (AFP)
Russia's Daniil Medvedev celebrates victory against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz after their men's singles quarter-final match on day 11 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 24, 2024. (AFP)

Third seed Daniil Medvedev was forced to dig deep into his reserves to outlast Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(4) 2-6 6-3 5-7 6-4 in an epic quarter-final on Wednesday and reach the last four of the Australian Open for third time.

The Russian, twice a losing finalist at Melbourne Park, went toe-to-toe with the big Pole for almost four energy-sapping hours on Rod Laver Arena before finally setting up a clash with Carlos Alcaraz or Alexander Zverev.

Ninth seed Hurkacz, who was playing in only his second Grand Slam quarter-final but had a winning career record against Medvedev, twice came from a set down and made the Russian work hard for every single point.

Former US Open champion Medvedev, who saved 10 of the 15 break points he faced over the contest, grizzled and moaned his way around the court but finally secured a place in his eighth Grand Slam semi-final with the most delicate of drop shots.

"I'm so destroyed right now," said Medvedev, who played a five-set marathon into the early hours of the morning in the second round.

"In the fourth set ... I'm like 'I just have to try my best to do whatever I can and let's see, if I lose, I lose and go home'. I'm happy that I managed to win like this. I really liked the match point."

The players look well matched from the opening set, both solid on their first serves but looking fragile on their second and claiming a break apiece.

Medvedev mixed it up a bit by coming into the net to show off his volleying skills as he clinched the tiebreak but Hurkacz came out firing in the second set.

The Pole was rewarded with a slew of winners and an early break, while Medvedev needed to show his mettle through four deuces to avoid going 3-0 down.

Hurkacz was now getting a look at Medvedev's serve in every return game and did get his second break for 5-2 before holding to love to level up the contest.

It was Medvedev's turn to make a hot start to the third set, the Russian racing out to a 3-0 lead on the back of a single break handed to him when the Pole double faulted.

Hurkacz held to avoid giving up the set on a third break of serve but Medvedev was now banging down a few winners of his own and went two-one up with his eighth ace.

The 27-year-old again broke to start the fourth set, but Hurkacz was still giving as good as he got through some high quality passages of play and got back on terms at 4-4.

The Pole pounced to break Medvedev again to square up the match and took the momentum into the decider when the Russian would surely start to feel the effects of his second round marathon.

Medvedev conserved energy and bided his time until an opportunity presented itself, pouncing when a brilliant backhand return gave him a look at 3-3 and driving home the advantage to snatch the crucial break.

The Russian held with difficulty, particularly after a remarkable Hurkacz save to win one point, but made no mistake when serving for the win, striking a balletic pose and blowing kisses to his team after converting his second match point.



Ronaldo Double Leads Al-Nassr to 3-1 Win at Al-Hilal

04 April 2025, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Al-Nasr's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's third goal during the Saudi Pro League soccer match between Al Hilal SFC and Al-Nasr SC at Kingdom Arena. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa
04 April 2025, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Al-Nasr's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's third goal during the Saudi Pro League soccer match between Al Hilal SFC and Al-Nasr SC at Kingdom Arena. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa
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Ronaldo Double Leads Al-Nassr to 3-1 Win at Al-Hilal

04 April 2025, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Al-Nasr's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's third goal during the Saudi Pro League soccer match between Al Hilal SFC and Al-Nasr SC at Kingdom Arena. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa
04 April 2025, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Al-Nasr's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's third goal during the Saudi Pro League soccer match between Al Hilal SFC and Al-Nasr SC at Kingdom Arena. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the second half, including a penalty, to guide Al-Nassr to a 3-1 win over Al-Hilal in the race for the Saudi Pro League title on Friday.
Al-Nassr remain in the third place with 54 points but they are now three points behind second-placed Al-Hilal and seven off leaders Al-Ittihad, who visit Al-Ahli on Saturday.
Al-Nassr opened the scoring before the interval when Ali Al Hassan curled a shot past goalkeeper Yassin Bono.
Ronaldo made it 2-0 two minutes after the break with a precise shot after a pass from Sadio Mane.
Reigning champions Al-Hilal tried to fight back playing on the counter attack and reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute through Ali Al Bulayhi's close-range header after a corner, Reuters reported.
However, Ronaldo wrapped up the points for Al-Nassr with a penalty in the 88th minute awarded for a handball by substitute Mouteb Al-Harbi following a VAR review.
"The team effort was crucial to this win and me scoring is important but it's more important to win," Ronaldo told SSC.
"I work hard to help the team in the SPL and Champions League and don't concentrate on individual records," he added.