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 6-6 (2-1*) Medvedev
Brilliant crosscourt backhand from Medvedev narrows the gap. Still all to play for in this tie-break.
Nadal to serve next.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-6 (2-0*) Medvedev
Too good from Nadal! He has the mini-break. Nadal went for the passing shot down the line and as Medvedev intercepted it he could only guide it wide.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-6 (*1-0) Medvedev
Nadal holds his serve at the start of the tie-break as Medvedev puts too much on a forehand.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-6* Medvedev
Medvedev continues to remain unphased by what has come before. He fizzes a forehand past Nadal to get his service game up and running.
A long backhand from Medvedev brings up 15-15, but the Russian works Nadal well around the court before finishing him off with a lovely effort down the line.
That’s nice from Nadal, though. The pair both come to the net but it’s the Spaniard who comes out on top as he clips the passing shot beyond Medvedev.
But an ace and a powerful forehand do the trick for Medvedev.
Tie-break.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-5* Medvedev
Huge hold for Nadal. Potentially a massive game in the match if the Spaniard can win this set.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 *6-5 Medvedev
Medvedev is making Nadal work so, so hard for every point but the Spaniard gets the better of him this time. The volley is a little too good for Medvedev and he can only shank his forehand into the net. Advantage Nadal.
Back to Deuce though as Nadal misses a fairly regulation forehand down the line.
Wonderful backhand from Nadal! He roars and gets the crowd going!
And that’s the hold! Medvedev can’t keep his serve in. Yet again, the Russian will serve to stay in the second set.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 *5-5 Medvedev
An arrow-like backhand down the line from Nadal gets the crowd going once more. The Spaniard looking to hold for the first time in three service games.
That backhand is into the net though. Medvedev clipped the tape with his forehand but Nadal couldn’t capitalise when it fell kindly to him.
Drop shot from Nadal is inch-perfect and the Spaniard kills Medvedev off with a forehand crosscourt. 30-15.
Another Nadal backhand into the net though. That’s becoming a bit of a theme in the last quarter of an hour. 30-30.
This time it’s a poor Medvedev backhand which proves costly as Nadal brings up game point.
Oh dear. Nadal into the net with a tame forehand. Deuce.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 5-5* Medvedev
The momentum may be back with Medvedev, but he is still serving to stay in this set.
Nadal goes into the net with a forehand for 15-0. And a poor slice backhand from Nadal sees the Russian move two points clear as he looks for a comfortable service game.
A third unforced error from the Spaniard brings us to 40-15 and the serve-volley finishes things off for Medvedev.
Pressure back on Nadal.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 5-4* Medvedev
We had it all during that 13-minute game. Break points. Set points. Even a protestor on the court.
At the end of it all, Medvedev has broken and we are at 4-5 with the Russian’s serve coming up.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 *5-4 Medvedev
The serve and volley does the trick for Nadal as he turns four break points around and now has a set point to level the match!
Nope. Into the net he goes on the backhand. Deuce yet AGAIN.
A deep forehand from Medvedev now has Nadal in trouble as the Spaniard skews long. A fifth break point.
And that’s long! The break back from Medvedev.
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