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 2-1* Medvedev
Nadal may have come through that battle, but surely the pressure will tell eventually? Medvedev already looking the dominant player in this match.
Australian Open final: Nadal *2-1 Medvedev
Nadal calls for the ball girl to wipe down the floor as he is already sweating profusely. Medvedev causing that with relentless pressure at the start of the match.
Nadal goes into the net. Another break point.
Big serve from Nadal saves his skin this time. Deuce once more as the game enters its ninth minute. And a beautiful slice hands the Spaniard the advantage as Medvedev fails to get it back.
That’s the hold! Nadal defends a powerful Medvedev backhand before clinching the point and game with a vicious forehand down the line.
Australian Open final: Nadal *1-1 Medvedev
The rallies are going long already on the Nadal serve. This time it’s the Spaniard who blinks first with a wayward slice at the start of the third game.
Some huge hitting from Medvedev! A 26-stroke rally sees the Russian work Nadal all over the court before punishing him with a backhand down the line. Superb. 0-30.
Oh that’s remarkable! Another backhand down the line has Nadal in all sorts of trouble. He just about gets it back as Medvedev looks to finish him off at the net. But he smashes his shot straight at Nadal and the Spaniard somehow flicks it back and onto the line!
Some wonderful net play from Nadal! He answers Medvedev on two occasions, finishing with a volley. 0-30.
Not this time though. Nadal with the unforced error and Medvedev has the break point.
Wonderful play from Nadal. Comes into the net off the forehand and his deft hands enable him to finish the point off with another lovely volley.
Australian Open final: Nadal 1-1* Medvedev
An eight minute opening game. We could be in for a long old night.
Nadal goes for a backhand winner at the beginning of Medvedev’s first service game but he puts a little too much on it. The return of serve is then long as Medvedev races into a 30-0 lead.
A routine forehand goes long from the Russian, but another crosscourt effort from Nadal then drops just over the tramline for 40-15.
Ace. All square.
Australian Open final: Nadal *1-0 Medvedev
Nadal to serve first then.
And the Spaniard kicks things off with a forehand winner. The perfect way to start.
A forehand then goes awry for 15-15, but a powerful groundstroke from Nadal restores his advantage.
Medvedev skews a looping shot well off target as Nadal dictates the tempo at the back of the court early on. The Russian then wins his first longer rally as Nadal goes into the net. 40-30.
And again! Deuce. Trouble already for Nadal.
A tense 20-plus stroke rally ends with Medvedev clipping the top of the net. Fortunately for Rafa it does not creep over. And Nadal forces the error from Medvedev with a second serve.
Nadal off the mark.
Australian Open final: Nadal vs Medvedev
Here we go then. Rafa or Daniil?
Australian Open final: Nadal vs Medvedev
The Rod Laver Arena is nearly full as the players warm up ahead of the match.
Final predictions?
Australian Open final: Nadal vs Medvedev
Rafa Nadal has managed to reach the final despite suffering with a foot injury ahead of the tournament.
When speaking about the injury, he said: “I went through a lot of challenging moments, a lot of days of hard work without seeing a light there, but still working and still receiving plenty of support from my team and from my family.
“[There were] a lot of conversations with the team, with the family about what’s going to happen if things continue like this, thinking that maybe it is a chance to say goodbye.
“That was not a lot of months ago. To be able to be where I am today, I don’t know, I really can’t explain in words how important it is for me.”
Australian Open final: Nadal vs Medvedev
The players are out on court! We are minutes away from the men’s singles final here at the Australian Open.
Rafa Nadal is gunning for a second title here in Melbourne. Daniil Medvedev is gunning for a second successive Grand Slam title.
Australian Open final: Nadal vs Medvedev
Nadal is seeking an historic 21st Grand Slam title.
The Spaniard currently sits level with the other ‘big two’ Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on 20 Slam singles titles.
I’m sure a certain Serbian and a certain Swiss will be watching on this morning. Nadal can move clear of them once more with a victory over Medvedev.
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