Former world number one Rafael Nadal returned from two sets to beat world number two Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in the final. registered his victory. Second Australian Open title 13 years after winning his first. The 35-year-old Spaniard has surpassed Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to claim the most men’s singles Grand Slam titles (21).
Rafael Nadal wins record 21st Grand Slam title, defeats Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling five-set match in Australian Open final
Rafael Nadal won a record 21st Grand Slam title as he made a remarkable comeback by defeating Daniil Medvedev of Russia in five sets.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after winning the third set against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev during the men’s singles final at the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne.
Rafael Nadal created history at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday as he defeated Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the final of the Australian Open to win a historic 21st Grand Slam title. Nadal made an incredible comeback to beat Medvedev 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in a match that lasted more than five hours. It was the first time in more than 14 years that Nadal had come to win a Grand Slam game by two sets; The last time was at Wimbledon in 2007 where he defeated Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in the fourth round.
The Spaniard became the first male tennis player to win 21 Grand Slam titles, surpassing Roger Federer of Switzerland and Novak Djokovic of Serbia; Both tied at 20-20.
Medvedev got off to a strong start in the match and took the first set 6-2 with relative ease, breaking Nadal’s serve twice and then getting it out in 42 minutes. Nadal’s first serve percentage dropped to 54%, compared to Medvedev’s 82%. The Russian took a 6-2, 7-6 (5) lead after a dramatic second set that saw a defender jump from the stands to the field of play at Nadal’s end. Security swung into action after the intruder entered the court and escorted him out.
Nadal saved a point to go back to deuce but missed a set point. He then skipped the service game to help revive his opponent. Medvedev eventually won the set on his first set point with a backhand passing shot off Nadal’s serve.
But Nadal made a remarkable reversal in the third set to survive the competition, winning 6-4. With three set points in hand, he hammered a forehand down the line to cut Medvedev’s lead to 1 in 2 sets.
Nadal continued his attack in the fourth set and broke the Russian on his eighth attempt in the marathon game to take a 3-2 lead. The Spaniard held his serve throughout the set to force a decider, winning the fourth set 6-4.
This was repeated by Nadal in the fifth, where he broke Medvedev’s serve in the same leg. The Russian side came close to a comeback but Nadal avoided five break points to take a 4-2 lead. However, Medvedev eventually managed to break the Spaniard while he was serving for the championship.