Rising star Daniil Medvedev believes he's primed for a strong Australian Open after seeing off Milos Raonic to book his place in the Brisbane International semi-finals.
Fourth seed Medvedev fought back to win 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 6-4 at Pat Rafter Arena on Friday, saving all eight break points while also making better use of his opportunities.
Canadian Raonic showed the stronger serving game in the first set when he slammed down 12 of his 29 aces.
But the 22-year-old Russian responded by capitalising on his first opportunity to secure a break in the match in the second game of the next set.
It proved to be enough to even the ledger as Raonic failed to convert two break points in each of the seventh and ninth games.
At 4-4 in the decider, Medvedev then rallied from 0-40 down to gain the decisive break when his former world No.3 opponent hit a cross-court forehand well wide.
"Despite (the) many chances that he had, I managed to hold my serves so I'm happy about it and I'm happy about the win," he said.
"I don't really agree it was up and down because I didn't lose one serve in the match.
"I took two out of four (break points), which is a good result."
Medvedev rose to No.16 in the rankings after winning three ATP titles last year, including the Sydney International before being a second-round casualty in Melbourne.
He beat Andy Murray in the second round in Brisbane, ahead of a meeting with top-ranked Australian Alex de Minaur or French former world No.5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for a place in the final.
"I like the way I played these two matches against great players. I mean top players, champions of our sport," Medvedev said.
"To see that what I have been working on in the off-season works here in Brisbane is already is a good sign."
