Picture Credit: AO
The first Grand Slam tournament of the year has attracted a lot of limelight, but for all the wrong reasons. Even before the Australian Open began, 20-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic created a lot of unnecessary noise outside the court related to COVID vaccination and was finally deported. Controversies didn't leave Australian Open there, as later Canadian Tennis star Denis Shapovalov called the chair umpire "corrupt" during a match against Rafael Nadal.
A fresh one to join the league is US Open champion Daniil Medvedev who ultimately lost his cool over umpire Jaume Campistol in his semifinal match against Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas. The unfortunate event occurred towards the end of the second set. Medvedev urged the umpire to issue a code of violation to Tsitsipas who the former claimed received instructions from his coach. In a video which is being widely shared on social media, Medvedev was seen accusing his opponent of getting instructions from his coach. Furious Medvedev was recorded accusing umpire Campistol of being "stupid." He further added, "His father can talk about every point? Are you stupid? Oh my god! Oh my god, you are so bad, man! How can you be so bad in the semifinals of the Grand Slam."
The semifinals between both the players brought the best out of both. While Medvedev managed to win the first set by 7-6, Tsitsipas bounced back in the second set and surprised the US Open champion to win 6-4, levelling the match. However, Medvedev didn't lose his command over the game after the second set and went on to win another two sets by 6-4, 6-1, progressing into the final of Australia Open 2022. Daniil Medvedev will meet Rafael Nadal in the final.
Earlier, Rafael Nadal marched into the finals of the Australian Open after defeating Matteo Berrettini in the semi-final on Friday. Nadal completely outplayed Italian seventh-seeded Berrettini, winning 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in a game that lasted for 2hr 55 min.