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 6-4 6-4 *1-1 Medvedev
Medvedev is definitely struggling to return the Nadal serve more than he was an hour or so ago. He finds the net again off the Nadal first serve.
Nadal shanks a forehand up and beyond the baseline for 15-15, but Medvedev then puts another return into the net.
Medvedev misses a routine forehand that he undoubtedly would have made in the first couple of sets.
And he sees out the game as Medvedev’s misfiring backhand comes up short again.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 0-1* Medvedev
Another ace from Medvedev. And he follows it up with a nice serve and backhand to clinch the game and relieve the pressure being placed upon him by Nadal at the start of this fifth set.
The tension is palpable inside the Rod Laver Arena. Everyone inside the stadium realises they are witnessing an all-time classic match.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 0-0* Medvedev
A double fault from Medvedev on the first point of this fifth set! He then complains about the crowd noise and the umpire John Blom gives them a dressing down.
Nadal then produces two outstanding backhands down the line and suddenly he is 30-40 in front! Break point on the line here.
Medvedev saves with a big serve-forehand combination. The Russian then finds an ace at deuce to bring up an advantage.
But a HUGE Nadal backhand puts Medvedev in all sorts of bother and he goes long with the forehand. Deuce again.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 Medvedev
So, we go to a decider. Who will claim the 2022 Australian Open men’s singles title?
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 Medvedev
Rafa Nadal’s mental strength is a joke. It’s truly ridiculous. Can he now go on to win this and make history?
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 Medvedev
OH. MY. WORD.
Rafa Nadal has come from two sets down to send this Australian Open final to a fifth and final set.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 Medvedev
Rafa Nadal serving to send this Australian Open final to a decider.
Big serve. Medvedev can’t return. 15-0.
Medvedev fires an unforced error into the net. 30-0.
WHAT A FOREHAND! 40-0. THREE SET POINTS.
WE ARE GOING TO A DECIDER!
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 5-4* Medvedev
Big serve from Medvedev leaves him with a simple backhand which he dispatches. Advantage to the Russian.
Nadal goes long with the return! Medvedev forces Nadal to serve out the set.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 5-3* Medvedev
Medvedev misses a forehand down the line as he serves to stay in the fourth set. Nadal three points away from sending it to a decider.
But the US Open champion will not go away quietly. He fires in a couple of unstoppable forehands to take a hold of the game.
But that’s superb from Nadal! A backhand down the line beats Medvedev all ends up! 30-30.
And another! SET POINT.
Not this time. Medvedev rattles off two quick points to leave himself with the advantage, before Nadal forces him to clip a helpless forehand into the net.
Deuce again. Every game in this match feels like it’s gone to deuce.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 *5-3 Medvedev
The forehand to the right hand side of the court works for Nadal this time - just moments after he missed two earlier on in the game.
30-40. This match hangs in the balance.
The drop shot from Medvedev goes into the net! Deuce. ANOTHER two break points squandered by the Russian.
And Rafa gets the advantage as he wrongfoots Medvedev with a forehand into the corner of space behind his opponent. Medvedev was expecting it into the space.
ACE. NADAL HOLDS.
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