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 *5-3 Medvedev
We are back underway.
And that’s a wonderful drop shot from Nadal that Medvedev can’t get anywhere near! We are back at deuce.
Remarkable rally! Nadal goes for the drop shot once more but Medvedev reaches it this time. Nadal has the open court to aim at but he sends the forehand inches beyond the baseline!
Big serve from Nadal and Medvedev sends the return long. Deuce once more. This game has been going more than 10 minutes now.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 *5-3 Medvedev
This key game has been halted. Looks like someone ran on the court. At such a key time as well.
Security suddenly all around the court. Bizarre.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 *5-3 Medvedev
Nadal serving for the second set.
How has he missed that?! Medvedev somehow gets a huge first serve back into the court but leaves Nadal with a simple smash at the net. The Spaniard can’t finish it off though! He rifles it straight into the net. 0-15.
And that backhand is long too. 0-30. The pendulum is swinging this way and that.
A Medvedev forehand goes into the net as Nadal reduces the arrears. But that’s superb net play from Medvedev. Two break back points once more.
The serve and volley executed perfectly. 30-40. And there’s another brilliant volley at the net from the 20-time Grand Slam champion brings up deuce.
Medvedev kisses the line (just) with a backhand crosscourt. Another break point for the Russian.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 5-3* Medvedev
It really is impressive how Medvedev has responded to being broken. Now he needs to hold his nerve to draw level in this second set.
Nadal clips the top of the net and sees a 0-15 opportunity go begging as the deflected forehand drifts just wide.
A doubled fault brings up 15-15, but that’s ANOTHER perfect backhand down the line from Medvedev.
Nadal finds a forehand which kisses the baseline to bring up 30-30. And a Medvedev backhand goes into the net!
Break point. Massive chance.
The drop shot does it! Medvedev is left on a heap on the floor as he slips trying to make it at the net. He couldn’t do so.
Is that the second set for the Spaniard?
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 *4-3 Medvedev
Nadal needs to keep this momentum going but he fails to do so at the start of this game.
Medvedev looks to force the issue with a deep return and it succeeds as Nadal plants a forehand narrowly beyond the baseline.
Wonderful backhand down the line from Medvedev. 0-30.
Nadal responds with a well-executed forehand crosscourt after an inch-perfect second serve.
But that’s too long from the Spaniard. Two break back points.
That’ll do it. Nadal can’t stay with Medvedev’s powerful forehand and suddenly the Russian is back on top.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 4-2* Medvedev
A serve-volley-volley combination pays off for Medvedev. Will he start to come to the net a bit more as Nadal begins to find his feet at the back of the court?
An ace from the Russian. Then Nadal goes long with a backhand. 40-0.
Another ace. A 68-second hold. Medvedev sends a message.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 4-1* Medvedev
The perfect setting for a classic match. And it is suddenly shaping up to be so.
Medvedev looked as though he may run away with it. But Nadal is right back in this final now.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 *4-1 Medvedev
Medvedev sends a forehand long by the width of a cat’s whisker. Nadal left it and was JUST correct in doing so.
The Russian then goes into the net. 30-0.
First ace of the match for Nadal. 40-0 and the crowd well and truly rousing Nadal now.
Serve and volley. Game Nadal. The most comfortable hold he has had all match. By far.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 *3-1 Medvedev
Out of nowhere, Nadal is on top.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 3-1* Medvedev
Medvedev just snatches at a forehand to hand Nadal an early lead on the Russian’s serve. They have been hard to come by so far.
And an unforced error on the Medvedev backhand! 0-30. Now then.
Nadal goes into the net. 15-30.
OH WHAT ABOUT THAT?! The longest rally of the match - 40 strokes! The pair barely move at the back of the court for about 20 shots as they refuse to wield. Eventually Nadal wins it with a ridiculously acute backhand which drifts just over the net before Medvedev can even reach it!
A big serve and it’s 30-40. But that’s long from Medvedev!
Nadal has the break.
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