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 *4-4 Medvedev
Nadal into the net with a crosscourt backhand. He has produced twice as many unforced errors on his backhand compared to Medvedev so far. 20 vs 10.
The forehand is working though. Nadal finishes his opponent off with a fizzing shot into the open part of the court. 15-15.
Nadal claims a long rally and then finds a big serve to move 40-15 in front as the match ticks into its fourth hour.
Have we got much longer? Nadal hopes so as he closes out the game.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 *3-4 Medvedev
Rafa still believes. But does anyone else?
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 3-4* Medvedev
The crowd are urging, pushing, willing Nadal on here as Medvedev goes long with a forehand at the start of the seventh game of this set.
A timely ace from Medvedev takes it to 15-15. And a really laboured forehand finds the middle of the net from Nadal.
Medvedev becoming irritated by the ball boys and girls. But he’s not showing that anger during the points - only as a form of encouragement.
Oh but there’s a massive miss from Medvedev! He forces Nadal to stretch for a volley at the net but then sends a backhand into the net with the open court to aim at! 30-30.
And a forehand finds the line as the Russian secures the game. Nadal playing catch-up again.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 *3-3 Medvedev
Medvedev goes just a little too long with another backhand down the line. He’ll be furious that he’s missed that one. Advantage Nadal.
Nadal goes for the serve-volley but Medvedev reads it every day of the week and twice on a Sunday. He finds the simple passing shot and we’re back to deuce.
The pair slug it out at the back of the court and Nadal comes out on top as Medvedev flicks a forehand beyond the baseline.
And a 21-shot rally seals the hold for Nadal! It really is a slugfest from the back of the court as Medvedev looks for a way past the Spaniard but he can’t find it. He eventually goes long on the stretch. Level again in the third.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 *2-3 Medvedev
Medvedev grabs the first point of the game as Nadal goes wide with a forehand down the line. And there’s a carbon copy! Another unforced error as he goes for the winner. 0-30.
The backhand down the line is too good from Medvedev! Nadal was equal to a Medvedev lob but not the gunshot backhand.
Three break points.
Drop shot winner from Nadal. One saved.
A backhand goes long from Medvedev. Two saved. One break point remaining for the Russian.
Third saved! Medvedev comes to the net but Nadal is equal to it and the Spaniard’s deft dink is put into the net by the Russian.
Deuce.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 *2-3 Medvedev
Three games away from the Australian Open title.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 2-3* Medvedev
Medvedev’s defence is ridiculous. He keeps the rally going despite a perfect forehand from Nadal and ends up on the front foot, finishing things off with a winner of his own.
Three rapid points see the Russian close out the game in swift fashion.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 2-2* Medvedev
What would Rod Laver do if he was in Nadal’s position? Could he pull this back? On his own court?!
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 *2-2 Medvedev
Some fans walking around in Nadal’s eyeline as he looks to start is service game. We are made to wait a good 30 seconds as they take off their bags, get comfortable, and ensure the beers are still cold. Irritating.
Eventually we are back underway and Nadal begins with a textbook volley at the net.
Medvedev sends a straightforward forehand into the net for 40-0, but then wins a point with a less than straightforward return which Nadal cannot control on the volley.
An unforced error from Nadal brings up 40-30.
But there’s the game! Medvedev is outdone by the Nadal forehand and we are back level in the third set. A quicker than usual service game for the Spaniard.
Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 *1-2 Medvedev
It doesn’t help that Nadal is serving second in this set. He will constantly feel as though he is playing catch up. And given he is two sets down, that could play a part psychologically.
He needs to eradicate those feelings if he is to get a foothold back in the match. Serving at 1-2 down in the third.
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