Australian Open final LIVE: Rafael Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev tennis result and latest updates

Follow live reaction from the Australian Open men’s final

'We need to suffer and we need to fight' - Nadal ready for the big 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:

Nadal vs Medvedev: Latest updates

• Nadal bids for record-breaking 21st grand slam title
• Medvedev races to 6-2 opening set
• Medvedev edges tiebreak after epic 84-minute second set
• Nadal fights back against frustrated Medvedev to win third 6-4
• Nadal battles to take the fourth set 6-4 and set up decider
• Nadal completes epic comeback to win record-breaking 21st grand slam title

[30 January 2022 08:32 · Dylan Terry]

Australian Open final: Nadal vs Medvedev

Due to the Novak Djokovic era, Rafa Nadal has only won one of five Australian Open finals.

Since his victory in 2009, he has come up short in the final in 2012, 2014, 2017 and 2019.

However, only two of those came in a final against Djokovic. He was also beaten by Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer.

[30 January 2022 08:30 · Dylan Terry]

Australian Open final: Nadal vs Medvedev

Medvedev and Nadal have met on four occasions in the past. Nadal leads the head-to-head record 3-1.

All of them have taken place on hard courts. Nadal beat the Russian three times in 2019 - one of which came at the US Open final.

But the last time the two players met it was Medvedev who came out on top - at the ATP finals in 2020.

[30 January 2022 08:25 · Dylan Terry]

Australian Open final: Nadal vs Medvedev

The players are set to walk at in around 10 minutes time as we are treated to the first men’s singles Grand Slam final of 2022.

Ash Barty came out on top in the women’s final yesterday. Now it’s the turn of Nadal and Medvedev.

[30 January 2022 08:20 · Dylan Terry]

Australian Open final: Nadal vs Medvedev

Medvedev undoubtedly comes into this one as the favourite. Rafa may have won 20 Grand Slams but the Russian claimed the US Open at the end of 2021 and is the highest ranked player in Melbourne.

He also finish runner-up to Novak Djokovic last year. Could he secure back-to-back Slam titles at the first time of asking?

[30 January 2022 08:14 · Jamie Braidwood]

Australian Open final: Nadal vs Medvedev

Follow live updates from the Australian Open men’s final as Rafael Nadal takes on Daniil Medvedev in a bid to make tennis history. If the Spaniard wins the match he will break the record for the most grand slam wins in the men’s game. He is currently tied with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on 20 slam titles but outclassed Matteo Berrettini over four sets in the semi-finals on Friday after overcoming a gruelling five-set battle against Denis Shapovalov.

In order for Nadal to break the record he will have to go through Medvedev, who is in great form. The Russian, who entered the draw as the highest seed after Djokovic’s withdrawal, is aiming to win consecutive grand slams after already clinching the US Open last September. Medvedev defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in four sets in a bad-tempered semi-final on Friday but is likely to face a sterner test in the final as Nadal bids to make history.

The focus may be on Nadal to win the final but he said after his semi-final victory over Matteo Berrettini he’s just grateful for the chance. He said: “For me it’s all about the Australian Open more than anything else, no? It’s just an amazing event. I’ve been unlucky with injuries and other times I play amazing finals with good chances. But I never thought about another chance in 2022.”