Tim Henman, pundits analyze amazing Daniil Medvedev comeback: 'scar tissue' verdict

Henman says Zverev will take time to recover from Australian Open loss, Medvedev enters final with energy deficit. Sinner awaits Medvedev.

Tim Henman believes that Alexander Zverev will take a long time to recover from the "scar tissue" sustained in his five-set Australian Open loss to Daniil Medvedev. The former world No 4 also asserted that Medvedev will start his final showdown against Jannik Sinner with "a significant deficit in terms of energy" given his grueling route through the draw. Medvedev made a remarkable comeback to defeat Zverev 5-7, 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(5), 6-3 in four hours and 22 minutes in the semi-finals of the 2024 Australian Open on Friday. The world No 3 has spent over 20 hours and 30 minutes on court in his six matches en route to reaching his third championship match at the Melbourne major. The 27-year-old Russian has won three five-set matches during his run and has prevailed twice after being two sets to love down after doing the same against Emil Ruusuvuori. The 2021 US Open winner now holds a 12-7 record against world No 6 Zverev and has won 11 of his last 13 clashes in his fierce rivalry with the 26-year-old German. Medvedev will take on Sinner in Sunday's men's final after the 22-year-old Italian stunned world No 1 and 10-time champion Novak Djokovic in four sets. Henman, a six-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, expressed that he feels the defeat will be extremely tough for Zverev to get over given the position he was in and his relationship with Medvedev. "It will be hard for Zverev mentally to have been that close against an opponent who [he] has a lot of history [with]. Psychologically the scar tissue will take a long time to recover from this," the Brit told Eurosport. "The one person who will be loving that is Jannik Sinner. Medvedev will have to do the best he can in those circumstances and try to recover the best he can tomorrow. But for me, he starts the final with a significant deficit in terms of energy." Former world No 7 Schett highlighted the adjustment Medvedev made after losing the first two sets and hailed his tactical nous and mentality. "He was a little bit more aggressive in the third set, the mindset was unbelievable I have to say," the Austrian said. "Even in the first couple of sets, he didn't get too down on himself and gave himself a chance and tried to play point by point. He was a little bit lucky but physically and mentally it was an extreme effort. He is the perfect tactician and he can be very proud of himself." In an interview with Eurosport's Laura Robson, Medvedev reacted to his incredible victory and his brutal path through the tournament. "It's amazing, some matches I didn't think it was going to happen but today I said in the third set, if I win or lose I want to be proud of myself, try to win the match and if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. I'm really proud of myself," he told the former world No 27. "I wonder what the record is to make the final after more [time on court]. I will try my best and try to recover. I will try to play my best tennis because for Jannik, you need to play your best."

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