Medvedev in semis, qualifier Yastremska dreams on

Daniil Medvedev

Two-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev battled past big-serving Hubert Hurkacz on Wednesday as Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska's dream run continued.

Former US Open champion Medvedev came through a gruelling five-setter in sweaty conditions on Rod Laver Arena 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.The Russian World No. 3 was twice pegged back by Polish ninth seed Hurkacz after going a set up but produced the crucial break in the decider to get over the line.

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In the opening match on centre court, 93rd-ranked Yastremska cruised past unseeded Czech Linda Noskova to become just the second women's qualifier in the Open Era to get so far at the Australian Open. She broke three times to win 6-3, 6-4 and set up a clash against Chinese 12th seed Zheng Qinwen, who is also gunning for a maiden Grand Slam title.

Zheng beat Russia's Anna Kalinskaya 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-1. Yastremska is the first women's qualifier to reach the last four since Australia's Christine Matison in 1978. "It's nice to make history, because at that time I wasn't even born," she said.

The 23-year-old wrote a message of support for Ukrainian fighters involved in the war against Russia on a TV camera lens after her win. "I'm very proud of them. They really deserve huge respect. I always try to write something for Ukraine, about Ukraine. I think it's my mission here," she said.

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