Australian Open final LIVE: Rafael Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev tennis result and latest updates
Follow live reaction from the Australian Open men’s final
Follow live reaction as Rafael Nadal produced a stunning comeback from two sets down to defeat Daniil Medvedev and win a record-breaking 21st grand slam title in an epic Australian Open final. The Spaniard, just months after almost retiring from the sport due to a foot injury, moves clear of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer after winning his second Australian Open title in a classic and exhausting battle over more than five hours in Melbourne.
The 35-year-old defeated tournament favourite and world No 2 Medvedev 2-6, 6-7, 6-4 6-4 7-5. Medvedev, the US Open champion, was aiming to become the first player in the Open era to win a second grand slam title immediately after winning his first. The Russian moved two sets up after prevailing in a tiebreak at the end of a marathon 84-minute second set, only for Nadal to stage a remarkable fightback.
A forehand winner earned Nadal the crucial break of serve in the decider, before he held off three break points from Medvedev in a 13-minute service game as he tried to close out the match. Nadal was two points away from victory as he served for the match at 5-4, only for Medvedev to produce a fightback of his own and claim the break. But Nadal struck back with a second break, before serving for the most remarkable win of his career. Follow live reaction from the Australian Open final:
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 1-2* Medvedev
Medvedev kicks things off with an ace of his own. Nadal then finds the net with a backhand as the Russian takes a 30-0 lead.
An unforced error from Nadal brings up 40-0. And a second ace clinches the game.
That was another rapid game for Medvedev. He piles the pressure back on Nadal who has to win this set to stay in the match.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 *1-1 Medvedev
Now it’s Medvedev’s turn to go long as he misses an opportunity with his best shot - the backhand down the line. Advantage Nadal.
And an ace secures the hold!
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 *0-1 Medvedev
Nadal gives it everything to try and thwart Medvedev but it’s to no avail as the Russian picks him off with a forehand which wrongfoots the 20-time champion for 0-15.
Forehand down the line from Medvedev. Nadal nowhere near it. 0-30.
Serve-forehand pays off for Nadal in back-to-back points. You feel he really needs to hold here. 30-30.
Another vicious forehand from the Spaniard hands him game point but he then shanks one long just as Medvedev looked beaten.
ANOTHER DEUCE GAME KLAXON.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 *0-1 Medvedev
Does the legendary Spaniard have what it takes to find a way back into this one?
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 0-1* Medvedev
Advantage Medvedev as he opts to go for the serve out wide which Nadal can only fire back into the net.
Oh dear! A drop shot into the net from Medvedev! Neither man wants to win this game!
Ace. Advantage Medvedev once more.
And another ace seals it. The Russian survives.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 0-0* Medvedev
Medvedev’s serve proves too much for Nadal as the Spaniard can only skew his return several yards beyond the baseline. Advantage Medvedev yet again.
Double fault! Fourth deuce. Into the seventh minute of this game.
An unforced error from Medvedev as he plants a forehand into the net! Break point opportunity for Nadal.
He let’s Medvedev off the hook. A long forehand and we’re at 40-40 for the fifth time in this game.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 0-0* Medvedev
Slice into the net from Nadal. Advantage Medvedev. Every game feels like a marathon at the moment.
Back to deuce we go as Nadal finds the line with another sumptuous forehand down the line.
Then it’s Medvedev’s turn to place one right in the corner as he brings up the advantage once more.
Can he close it out this time? Nope. A forehand goes long and we’re back to deuce for a third time in this game.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 0-0* Medvedev
Nadal starts the third set well as he plays some deep shots onto the backhand of Medvedev and forces the error into the net.
A serve-smash combination brings the score to 15-15 but Nadal then works Medvedev onto the back foot before finishing him off with a forehand.
Oh, but that’s unreal from the Russian! Nadal comes to the net to finish him off but Medvedev guesses the direction correctly and wins the point with a crosscourt backhand. Superb. 30-30.
The serve and charge from Medvedev proves the winning formula, before Nadal responds with a forehand which kisses the baseline. Deuce.
The Spaniard isn’t giving up on this.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 Medvedev
Medvedev knows he is closing in. It’s going to take a mammoth effort from Nadal if he is to get back into this one.
But we’ve seen him do it before...
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