Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Daniil Medvedev Odds & Prediction – Australian Open Semifinals

• The Australian Open semifinal between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev is a rematch of 2021
• Medvedev won that in straight sets – but Tsitsipas was coming off a statement win over Rafael Nadal
• Tsitsipas has won two of their last three meetings. We break down the matchup and make a prediction

Daniil Medvedev might have made a great escape from his quarterfinal quandary against Félix Auger-Aliassime – he is the only player in the Australian Open so far this year to have come back from a two-sets-to-none deficit.

But he remains the odds-on favorite to win the title this year. And his 6-2 record against semifinal opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas won’t do anything to dent his confidence.

Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Daniil Medvedev Odds

Odds as of Jan. 27 at Caesars Sportsbook

Medvedev’s opponent Friday night in Melbourne (3:30 am ET) was a big question mark coming in. He had elbow surgery at the end of the 2021 season, and had only a short period to rehab and try to prepare for 2022.

He skipped his first scheduled singles match at the ATP Cup the first week of January. And he looked very, very flat through the first week of the Australian Open.

But as the second week has marched inexorably onwards, he has looked better and better. He’s looked like the No. 4 player in the world.

Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Daniil Medvedev Head-to-Head

Medvedev Survives Auger-Aliassime

The five-set marathon with Auger-Aliassime went 4h42. And after the 21-year-old Canadian won the first two sets with exceptional play against a struggling Medvedev, it felt all but over.

But Medvedev, an unorthodox player and a canny competitor, pulled everything out of his bag of tricks, saved a match point, and went on to victory.

"I asked myself 'what would Novak do?'" 😬

Fair to say Medvedev got a mixed reaction when he revealed his comeback inspiration! 😲#AusOpen – Live on Channel 9 and 9Now pic.twitter.com/WQRAgFtdu5

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 26, 2022

He said after the match that he channeled the spirit of the absent Novak Djokovic.

What would Novak (or Roger, or Rafa) do? The Serb would find a way, thought Medvedev. And so did he.

Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Daniil Medvedev Match History

A Long History Between Tsitsipas and Medvedev

Tsitsipas has won two of the last three meetings with Medvedev. But the two have a rather long history. And until the 2019 Tour Finals, the Russian had won five straight.

Guys! It’s happening! pic.twitter.com/Qdd0GIJZBW

— Alexis (@LexiDV) January 26, 2022

There has been some spice between the two, going all the way back to their first meeting in the first round of the Miami Masters in 2018.

Both have a little edge to them that could make for some fireworks in this one. Especially with so much at stake.

Expect the Greek star to pull out the serve-and-short-volley play to counter Medvedev’s tendency to play almost with his back to the wall on serve return.

Tsitsipas Blows Away Sinner

If Tsitsipas barely survived the considerable challenge of No. 20 seed Taylor Fritz in the round of 16, he was dominant in the quarterfinals against No. 11 Jannik Sinner, a 20-year-old expected to win his share of major titles in the near future.

But Sinner was not up to this encounter. And Tsitsipas never even gave him a sniff in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory that took just a shade over two hours.

At the round-of-16 stage of a major tournament, that is a light skate. And it was exactly what Tsitsipas needed to not pile onto the miles he ran against Fritz.

It was, in its way, as shocking a loss for Sinner as it was a surprisingly easy win for Tsitsipas.

But it was also clear that the No. 4 seed has played his way into the tournament. And that he will give Medvedev – who won’t be nearly as fresh – all he can handle.

Despite Medvedev’s favorite status, we’re calling for an upset in this one.

Best Bet: Tsitsipas wins, and both players take a set (+300)