MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning his Men's Singles semi-final match against Matteo Berrettini of Italy during day 12 of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia.
(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
(CNN) --
Rafael Nadal and Danii Medvedev will contest the Australian Open final after winning their respective semifinal matches on Friday.
Nadal is one win away from reaching a record 21 Grand Slam titles.
The Spaniard won his semi-final in impressive fashion after beating Italian Matteo Berrettini in four sets 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3, and will now face Medvedev in the final on Sunday.
Nadal currently shares the men's Grand Slam record (20) with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, but now has a chance to overtake his historic rivals.
The 35-year-old did not want to downplay his chance to make history, saying he is only focused on winning the Australian Open, a title he has only won once in his illustrious career.
"For me, the most important thing is the Australian Open," Nadal said after the match.
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"It's an unbelievable event that, as I said a couple of days ago, I had been a bit unlucky with some injuries. There were times I played unbelievable finals with good chances -- against Novak in 2012, against Roger 2017 -- I was close a couple of times. times".
"I feel very lucky to have won it once in my career, in 2009, but I never thought of another opportunity in 2022," Nadal continued.
Medvedev's triumph in the other semifinal of the Australian Open
Russian Danii Medvedev beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in a thrilling semi-final.
He was one of the tournament favorites after his victory at the US Open last year and he showed his credentials again by defeating the Greek in four sets: 7-6 (5-7) 4-6 6-4 6-1.
The Russian was one of the tournament favorites after his victory at the US Open last year and once again proved his credentials by defeating his Greek rival in four sets: 7-6 (5-7) 4-6 6-4 6 -one.
Medvedev has often been a controversial figure on tour and the best and worst of him were seen again in the semi-final.
He was booked for visible obscenity after launching into a tirade against the chair umpire during the second set, which seemed to turn the fans against him.
The Russian appeared to be angry with Tsitsipas's father, who he claimed was training from the crowd between points - something that is prohibited - and was frustrated that the referee had missed it.
"How can you be so bad in a grand slam semi-final? Look at me. I'm talking to you," Medvedev yelled at referee Jaume Campistol, after asking if he was "stupid."
Novak Djokovic is scheduled to return to the professional courts in Dubai at the end of February.
Tsitsipas was later handed a code infraction after the referee saw his father training from the stands.
After years of being classified as the new generation, this tournament is yet another reminder that Medvedev is now one of the biggest threats on the ATP Tour and has shown that he has what it takes to win grand slams.
Victory at the ATP Tour Finals in 2020 was seemingly the defining moment for the Russian as he became the first player to defeat World No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 on his way to winning the tournament. end of season.
Then came the 2021 US Open, where he defied the odds to stop Novak Djokovic from winning a record 21st career Grand Slam title.
Now he has a chance to stop another man from breaking the all-time record for men's grand slam titles as Nadal looks to win his 21st.
"I'm going to play one of the greatest and, what's funny, he's someone who's going for the 21st slam," Medvedev said in his bid to win his second consecutive Grand Slam title.
"I guess last time Rafa was watching [the US Open final] and I don't know who he was cheering for. I think Novak will be watching in two days too. I'm ready, I know Rafa is a very strong player and I have to show the best of me to try to win this game", he stated.
Australian Open 2022Rafael Nadal