Australian Open, men’s singles final as it happened: Nadal beats Medvedev to win 21st Grand Slam

Rafael Nadal: “Good evening everyone. Well, no, good morning. Well played Daniil, I’ve been in your position a few times. But I’m sure you’ll get there. This was an amazing match and it was an honour for me to share the court with you. So all the best. Well, I don’t know what to say. Two and a half months ago I didn’t know if I’ll play again. Thank you so much for the love and support, you guys are just amazing. These have probably been the most emotional months of my career. The support I’ve received will stay in my heart forever. So thanks a lot for that. Thank you to my team and family, you all know how hard the past year and a half have been. You’ve been there always and none of this would’ve been possible without you. So thanks a lot for that. Thanks to all the organisers, ball kids, sponsors and Tennis Australia. A month and a half ago I would’ve probably said this is my last Australian Open but I have a lot of energy to keep going now. I’ll try and see you all next year. Thank you very much.”

Daniil Medvedev: “Tough to talk after fives hours and 30 minutes and losing. Congratulations to Rafa. I asked him after the match if he was tired... I thought he would be a little bit... But congrats to you and your team, this is an unbelievable result. Thanks to my team for sharing this tough moment with me. I tried my best. My wife isn’t here, she has probably broken the TV at home. She is my biggest supporter. Thanks to everyone for their support, I’m going to try and be better next time.”

7.42 pm: Nadal wins the match 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 after nearly five and a half hours of thrilling tennis. He goes past Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to become the first man to win 21 singles Grand Slam titles. This is his second Australian Open title after wining his first back in 2009. He was down 2-6, 6-7, 3-3 (0-40) in this match… there’s only one Rafa Nadal.

NADAL WINS THE MATCH

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-5 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE! Nadal breaks right back! Medvedev saved a couple of break points but Rafa drew the error eventually. It’s been simply impossible to predict this match. Nadal will now have a second chance to win the title. Does Medvedev have more left in the tank?

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 5-5 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE! Medvedev lives to fight another day! An astonishing fightback from the Russian. Nadal was up 30-0 serving for the match but Medvedev won four points in a row to level things up in the fifth set. We keep going! This match is turning into an absolute epic.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 5-4 Medvedev: Medvedev holds! He closes out the game with a drop shot winner. Finally, that shot works for him. But it’s up to Nadal now. He will serve for the match... for the championship... for history. Here we go!

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 5-3 Medvedev: Nadal holds! Medvedev took it to 30-all but couldn’t sink his teeth into the rallies after that. Nadal is just one game away from creating history. This has been a comeback for the ages. Can he complete it?

We’re into the sixth hour of this match now...

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 4-3 Medvedev: Medvedev holds to love! And he jogs to his chair, perhaps as a signal that he is up for the fight. Nadal is just two games away from creating history but that seems a long way away at the moment.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 4-2 Medvedev: Nadal holds! Uff, that was a titanic struggle. Six times it went to deuce, thrice Medvedev had a break point, but somehow Rafa finds a way. They’re giving it their all nearly five hours after this match started. Medvedev still wants this badly. Can he mount a comeback? He needs to hold his serve here first.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 3-2 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE! MAGIC FROM NADAL! Oh dear lord, that was absolutely sensational from the legend. He gets the break with a stunning forehand winner down the line. He was on the run and deep in the court but still managed to find the corner of the court. Wow! Absolutely nothing Medvedev could do there. Nadal has made his move, he’s inching towards a historic title. The crowd is ecstatic.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 2-2 Medvedev: And now Nadal holds to love. A couple of unforced errors from Medvedev. Will be interesting to see how both players conserve their energy in this decider. It could come down to the last man standing.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 1-2 Medvedev: Medvedev holds to love! He needed that. His serve has worked a lot better so far in the fifth set. Will be a crucial factor for him to win as fatigue sets in. Nadal, meanwhile, nearly took out the umpire again with a blazing return that crashed into the chair. No harm done and smiles all around.

Earlier in this set...

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 1-1 Medvedev: A relatively comfortable hold for Nadal as the umpire calls for new balls. Medvedev won two points and threatened to take it to deuce but ended up making a backhand error. Nadal’s body language looking a lot more confident than Medvedev’s at the moment.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 0-1 Medvedev: Medvedev survives a break point to hold serve! Nadal with two stunning forehands down the line on the run but the Russian bounces back with three big first serves to seal the deal.

Medvedev took the first two sets and at 3-2 in the third set he had three break points on Nadal’s serve. Just worth stating the obvious sometimes. Here we go, players are back on the court. A reset.

Both players off court. A full kit change, of course.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 Medvedev: ...and one minute away from midnight in Melbourne, Rafael Nadal takes the fourth set from two sets down to force the decider. 62 minutes for that set, barely any time spent on the service game at the end. BREATHE.

Two minutes from midnight in Melbourne... Nadal serves to try and take this match into the fifth set.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 5-4 Medvedev: On the back of a couple of extravagant backhands, Medvedev holds serve and will make Nadal serve for it. In the context of what’s to come, that could be huge.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 5-3 Medvedev: Correction, that was set point singular. And Medvedev saves it with a backhand drive.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 5-3 Medvedev: Two incredible backhand winners and Nadal has set points!!

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 5-3 Medvedev: Nadal holds! A terrific inside out forehand winner the highlight there as he Nadal saves break points and stays ahead. Medvedev might mentally be in the fifth at the moment.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 4-3 Medvedev: a really good overhead while back-tracking by Nadal but soon after he faces two break points... saves one... saves another as Medvedev plays the most lethargic looking drop of the night. Deuce.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 4-3 Medvedev: Well well well. Two unforced errors from Rafa, and it’s a 0-30 look for DM.

A little while earlier...

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 4-3 Medvedev: Nadal didn’t go for much there, Medvedev holds serve at love. Nadal with another huge service game coming up.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 4-2 Medvedev: After an incredible volley (following a few sensational shots previously in the game too), Nadal consolidates.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 3-2 Medvedev: More Medvedev advice to the chair umpire... he says “please” won’t do, wants the control to be better.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 3-2 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE! Another hat-trick of service breaks, just like the last set. Nadal converts his SEVENTH break point. Medvedev kept fighting valiantly but Rafa didn’t relent. Incredible ball striking from Nadal. Medvedev’s movement seems to be compromised but that can’t take away from Rafa’s shot-making. “Can you please take control,” Medvedev requests the umpire as the crowd keeps cheering his mistakes.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 2-2 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE! Medvedev break right back! Brilliant from the Russian. He had the trainer check on his quads but then gave it his all in that game, running to every corner to make Rafa play an extra ball. Nadal’s serve let him down once again, though. He’s hitting the ball the best he has in this match but the serve needs to step up.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 2-1 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE! Nadal makes his move. Medvedev makes a double fault down brea point. Again the crowd cheers loudly and again, Medvedev claps at them sarcastically. The trainer is out to check on his injury now. It’s all going Rafa’s way now. What an astonishing turnaround this has been.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 1-1 Medvedev: Nadal saves two break points! He simply won’t give in! Medvedev seemed to have upped the intensity again and had a big opening, but Rafa kept going for his shots and drew the errors from Medvedev. Pressure back on the Russian.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 0-1 Medvedev: Not much trouble for Medvedev to hold serve in the first game of the fourth set. He ranted a lot to the umpire between sets, he isn’t at all pleased with the crowd’s behaviour. He had an outburst in the semis too. That time he found his composure quickly and ran away with the match. Can he do that again? Meanwhile, Medvedev has just asked the umpire to call for the trainer. Worrying times for the Russian.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 6-4 Medvedev: NADAL WINS THE SET! Four clean winners from the legend in that game and this time, Medvedev can’t break back. The crowd goes bananas! They’re willing Rafa on. But this was the result of some extraordinary tennis from Nadal. The desire to keep fighting He hasn’t let his intensity drop, he’s still chasing everything, and the groundstrokes are as hard as ever.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 5-4 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE! The crowd goes wild! Medvedev with a baffling drop shot at 15-30 before having a go at the crowd for cheering his mistake. He saved the first break point but Rafa with a superb backhand winner down the line to seal the game. He will now serve for the set.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 4-4 Medvedev: Medvedev wins the first point but Nadal wins the next four to seal the game. Just the sort of quick hold he needed. A big push from him in the next game now and things could get really interesting.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 4-3 Medvedev: Medvedev holds. Nadal had a look at 30-30 but the Russian produced some clutch tennis to win the next two points. Impressive temperament shown from him after missing out on the previous game.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 3-3 Medvedev: Nadal holds from 0-40 down! The undying spirit of Rafael Nadal! It seemed the beginning of the end as Medvedev had three consecutive break points. But Rafa refuses to give it. He crunched his groundstrokes from there on and made Medvedev work extremely hard to stay in the points. The crowd goes wild, of course.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 2-3 Medvedev: Medvedev holds to love, again. Another sensational backhand crosscourt winner on the run from him in that game. Nadal running out of ideas.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 2-2 Medvedev: Rafa holds. He led 40-0 before Medvedev won the next two points. But the Spaniard didn’t panic and closed it out.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 1-2 Medvedev: And now Medvedev holds to love. Solid first serves from him. That’s brutal for Nadal – to work so hard on serve and then get it back in no time. Fortunately for him, there’s a changeover in the middle.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 1-1 Medvedev: Opportunity missed by Medvedev and a crucial hold for Nadal. The Russian was up 0-30 but the Spaniard found a way to close out the game eventually. As was the case at the start of the second set, the intensity of both players is slightly lower at the moment.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7, 0-1 Medvedev: Nadal took it to deuce thrice and even had a break point but Medvedev manages to hold. The Russian with an amazing backhand crosscourt winner on the run in that game. Rafa could’ve put it away at the net but he found Medvedev and then saw the ball sail past him. The Spaniard had a worried look, to put it mildly, after that shot.

Nadal 2-6, 6-7 Medvedev: MEDVEDEV WINS THE SET! Astonishing, phenomenal tennis from the Russian to win the tie breaker 7-5. Nadal pulled off a stunning backhand volley on set point but Medvedev managed to hit a backhand winner down the line to seal the deal. A devastating blow that for Rafa. He had a set point on serve earlier. Monumental challenge for him now to win this match.

Nadal 2-6, 6-6 Medvedev: It’s still on serve in the tie breaker! Nadal leads 5-4. There is absolutely nothing to choose between the two. Again, they both take a point each while returning.

Nadal 2-6, 6-6 Medvedev: It’s on serve so far in the tie breaker. Both players winning a point each on the opponent’s serve. Nadal leads 3-2.

Nadal 2-6, 6-6 Medvedev: We’re into a tie breaker! Medvedev with a beautifully constructed point in that game, making Nadal run back and forth to both corners. This is an absolutely critical tie break for Rafa. One imagines his chances of winning this match wiIll be extremely bleak if he goes down two sets.

Nadal 2-6, 6-5 Medvedev: Nadal holds and lets out a huge roar! That was another close game on serve for him. Medvedev took it to deuce a couple of times but the Spaniard didn’t panic. We’re inching closer to a tie breaker. Medvedev has some work to do before that, though.

Nadal 2-6, 5-5 Medvedev: Medvedev closes out a quick hold with a stunning forehand volley at the net. Just what Rafa didn’t need. He’s back serving in no time.

Nadal 2-6, 5-4 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE! Medvedev draws level again! He converts his fifth break point to silence the crowd again. We’ve had a hat-trick of service breaks now. Nadal had a set point but the Russian showed incredible composure to fight back. This was another marathon rally. It must definitely have an effect on Rafa. There isn’t a whole lot to choose between the two players but Medvedev just looks more assured. Nadal needs to serve a lot better, though.

A brief interruption in play as there was a court invader. The security got that person off quickly and no harm done to the players thankfully.

Nadal 2-6, 5-3 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE! Nadal will serve for the set! Breathtaking forehands from Rafa in that game. He made Medvedev run to all corners and won two crucial points with slice shots at the end. We’re back to a high, high level of tennis at the Rod Laver Arena. Can Medvedev respond again?

Nadal 2-6, 4-3 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE! There, Medvedev breaks back and we’re on serve again. High class returning from the Russian in that game. He seems to have tightened his game again and Rafa has it all to do again. The Spaniard is attacking the forehand a lot more at the moment but that doesn’t seem to be working either.

Nadal 2-6, 4-2 Medvedev: A love hold for Medvedev! This makes things interesting. Rafa will need to keep up the intensity as this set if far from over. If Medvedev breaks here it’ll be a crushing blow for the Spaniard.

Nadal 2-6, 4-1 Medvedev: And now he holds to love! It’s all Rafa all of a sudden. What a stunning turnaround this is. Medvedev, perhaps, paying the price for allowing Nadal to play at his pace in this set. But this is incredible spirit on show from the legend. He didn’t let the first set get to his head and has kept plugging away. Can Medvedev fight back in this set?

Nadal 2-6, 3-1 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE! Would you believe it! Rafa has broken! He won the point of the match so far to set up two break points and converted the second. It was a 40-shot rally at 15-30 and Nadal won it with the most outrageous cross-court backhand slice winner. Medvedev could hardly believe it and the crowd went wild. Game on at the Rod Laver Arena!

Nadal 2-6, 2-1 Medvedev: Another hard-fought hold for Nadal. Medvedev took it to 30-all but a couple of big first serves bailed Rafa out. Medvedev’s intensity seems to have dropped a slight bit, perhaps he’s saving it for the business end of the set. Rafa won’t mind this, though.

Nadal 2-6, 1-1 Medvedev: Medvedev’s serve is working quite well, as are most aspects of his game. He holds to 15 and Rafa is back serving again. The Spaniard needs to keep getting quick holds heading towards the business end of the set.

Nadal 2-6, 1-0 Medvedev: One of the most comfortable holds for Nadal so far in the match. Medvedev managed to win the longest rally in that game and got to 30-40 too, but Nadal did well to close it out.

Medvedev is 37-0 after winning the first set at a hard court Major. Can Rafa bring that run to an end?

Nadal 2-6 Medvedev: That was clinical from the second seed. Not many would have predicted that scoreline for the opener. Medvedev’s game is firing on all fronts and he looks calm on the court too. It’s difficult to imagine Nadal winning this match if it goes to five sets. He needs a quick turnaround here to have a chance.

Earlier in the set...

Nadal 2-5 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE! Medvedev breaks to love again! This is brutal for Nadal. He started the game with consecutive double faults before Medvedev won a lengthy rally with a forehand winner down the line. Rafa is changing his shirt now. He needs a lot more to change... quickly.

Nadal 2-4 Medvedev: Another relatively comfortable hold for the Russian. Rafa with a sizzling forehand winner in that game but he’s still struggling to find the right tactic to break Medvedev’s rhythm. The Spaniard needs a quick hold of serve now.

Nadal 2-3 Medvedev: BREAK OF SERVE! He almost got it the last time but there was no stopping him here. Medvedev breaks to love! A superb passing shot on the run from the second seed and a couple of errors from Rafa in that game. The 20-time Grand Slam champion is sweating buckets at the moment and facing serious heat from the reigning US Open champ.

Nadal 2-2 Medvedev: Another relatively comfortable hold for Medvedev. Rafa managed to win two points but he needed a bigger breather before serving again. Both players are completely in the zone but the Russian has the edge in the rallies.

Nadal 2-1 Medvedev: Nadal holds at the end of a sensational game!

Point of the match so far! A 26-shot rally and Medvedev finishes it with a backhand winner down the line. He took the ball early throughout and made Nadal work hard throughout the point.

Rafa follows that up with sheer magic 0-30 down! The crowd goes wild! Medvedev comes to the net and smashes an easy shot straight down the court, Rafa puts his racket out instinctively and manages to squeeze a forehand winner. He had no business doing that. Wow! The legend then comes to the net and hits two outrageous volleys to win the next point and the crowd goes wild again.

Medvedev then manages to get two break points but Nadal saves both. He plays a sharp, short backhand slice to draw an error from Medvedev before hitting a forehand winner down the line to seal the game.

Nadal 1-1 Medvedev: A quick hold for Medvedev. Two errors by Nadal from the backhand side and one from the forehand. Meddy seals the game with an ace. The crowd is firmly in Rafa’s corner, though.

A few minutes ago...

Nadal 1-0 Medvedev: Proper rally to start off the match and Nadal finishes it off with an inside-in winner. Medvedev then takes it to deuce after a couple of mishits from both sides. The players then deliver a lengthy rally – solid groundstrokes from deep in the court – before Medvedev crashes a backhand into the net. Nadal then closes out the game and the crowd erupts.

2.16 pm: The warmups are done. The roof is open. Rafa Nadal takes on Daniil Medvedev. This is going to be a cracker. Here we go!

2.09 pm: Nadal walks on to the court and nearly keeps his bags on the first chair but quickly realises Medvedev is the higher seed and walks ahead to the other chair. Always classy.

2.07 pm: The players are making their way to the court! They’re taking the walk of champions through the tunnel. Nadal leading Medvedev. It’s almost time!

Paths to the final

Nadal:

1st rd: bt Marcos Giron (USA) 6-1, 6-4, 6-2

2nd rd: bt Yannick Hanfmann (GER) 6-2, 6-3, 6-4

3rd rd: bt Karen Khachanov (RUS x28) 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1

4th rd: bt Adrian Mannarino (FRA) 7-6 (16/14) 6-2, 6-2

Quarter-final: bt Denis Shapovalov (CAN x14) 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3

Semi-final: bt Matteo Berrettini (ITA x7) 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3

Medvedev:

1st rd: bt Henri Laaksonen (SUI) 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3)

2nd rd: bt Nick Krygios (AUS) 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 

3rd rd: bt Botic van de Zandschulp (NED) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2

4th rd: bt Maxime Cressy (usa) 6-2, 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (4/7), 7-5

Quarter-final: bt Fleix Auger-Aliassime (CAN x9) 6-7 (4/7), 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-5, 6-4

1.50 pm: Hello and welcome to live coverage of the 2022 Australian Open men’s singles final between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.