Nadal wins tennis thriller against Medvedev: He only fails to break one mark at the Australian Open

Created: 01/31/2022, 04:45 am

By: Alexander Kaindl

Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev fought an epic final at the Australian Open.

© AAP / Imago

The Australian Open 2022 final will go down in history thanks to an outstanding performance from Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev.

The game to read in the ticker.

Australian Open final: The final result

Update from January 30, 3:13 p.m.:

We can only take off all the hats we have.

Nadal wins his 21st Grand Slam title and is now the sole record holder ahead of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic (both 20 wins).

We hope you had as much fun today as we did.

Thank you for reading along!

Nadal - Medvedev 7: 5:

Is Nadal now serving?

The thriller goes into the next round.

Five hours, 22 minutes have been played.

It's already the second-longest Grand Slam final in history.

Nadal leads 15-0.

30:0!

What better time for the third ace in this game?

40:0!

Three match points!

And that's it!

Nadal wins!

Nadal – Medvedev 6: 5:

Is Medvedev attacking again?

23. Ace here - and then he plays a stop again, completely unnecessarily!

If he loses this match here, it's mainly because he gave away so many points in these scenes.

Nadal has three break points and the third one passes!

Nadal – Medvedev 5: 5:

Nadal serves for the match and he takes his heart in his hands!

30:0!

Then 30:15.

And then: double fault!

30 both.

And then Breakball Medvedev, madness!

And he gets the break!

5:5.

Nadal – Medvedev 5: 4:

Is there already a decision?

15 both.

But Medvedev gets through his game, the players are now on the last groove!

Nadal - Medvedev 5: 3:

Five hours have passed and Daniil Medvedev starts the next sprint here.

What an athlete!

30 both on Nadal's serve.

And then the Spaniard brings it to the finish!

5:3!

Nadal - Medvedev 4: 3:

Fast service game by Medvedev, Nadal saves his strength.

Nadal - Medvedev 4: 2:

Four hours and 50 minutes are here - we will break the five hour mark without any problems!

It's past midnight in Melbourne.

We have a two-day final, so to speak.

Nadal doesn't get his service game here, Medvedev defends himself.

But the Russian misses three break points and Nadal finally gets this game after 13 minutes and 38 seconds!

Nadal - Medvedev 3: 2:

Nadal has more grip and even has a breakball!

But Medvedev comes over his strong first serve.

The second then fits!

Longline against the running direction, Nadal is so close to the sensation!

Nadal 2-2 Medvedev:

Quick equalizer from Nadal, 2-2.

Nadal - Medvedev 1: 2:

Hui, Nadal almost hits the referee again!

His return bounces off the chair.

Both laugh briefly and it goes on - Medvedev wins his service game.

Of course there are a lot of fast points now, both of them share their strength.

Nadal – Medvedev 1: 1:

Medvedev clearly has problems with his thighs and asks about his physio again.

It goes without saying that this finale goes to the substance.

The two have been here for four and a half hours.

Nadal equalizes.

Nadal - Medvedev 0: 1:

That's so strong!

Nadal plays like a young god here - the guy is 35 years old!

A break ball is the reward early in the fifth set, but Medvedev is there and then bangs out his 18th ace.

Here are two machines at the start.

Medvedev gets his service game.

Nadal with crazy comeback in the final of the Australian Open: Spaniard forces fifth set against Medvedev

Nadal - Medvedev 6: 4:

Are we going into the decisive sentence or will Medvedev turn things around in the fourth?

Three set balls Nadal!

And the first fits!

We're going to the ultimate final!

Nadal - Medvedev 5:4:

Is Medvedev giving away the sentence now?

Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that!

He tries everything, Nadal counters in the meantime with a wonderful longline and even wins a set ball with another one!

But Medvedev defends and gets through his service game.

5:4.

Nadal – Medvedev 5: 3:

Exactly four hours have passed.

And yet we still see top-class tennis here.

Now Medvedev suddenly seems to be gaining the upper hand again.

Nadal makes slight mistakes.

But then he counters a praise from the Russian, after he had previously played an unmotivated stop.

Medvedev then gets two breakballs.

Both blocked!

And Nadal still brings the game over the line.

Nadal - Medvedev 4: 3:

Medvedev gets through his service game smoothly.

Both are tired - it is completely open how things will continue here.

Nadal - Medvedev 4: 2:

Nadal has never been better in this game than now!

What's the matter with Medvedev?

He makes completely wrong decisions.

"The clear perspective is missing," says Boris Becker on the Eurosport microphone.

Physically and mentally he looks extremely flat, Nadal lets him run, run, run.

And thus comes to excellently played points - 4:2!

Nadal - Medvedev 3: 2:

Why does Medvedev decide to volley here? Wasted point at the net, Nadal again has the break on the racket - three chances for the 3:2! The second in the world rankings fends off two of them, including with a serve and volley. And Nadal shoots the third breakball just wide! He misses the huge opportunity. Medvedev then plays a weak stop, Nadal counters and eventually gets stuck in the net. Medvedev can then make everything clear, but then hits a ball from above with the frame. Totally crazy game. The Russian then also fends off the fourth, fifth and sixth breakball! Grotesque! And the seventh fits! Just pure tennis gold.

Nadal – Medvedev 2: 2:

Medvedev looks battered and has to be massaged on the left thigh.

Or is it all just tactics?

Both are delivering great tennis here now, putting on a unique show.

The audience completely freaks out!

30 both.

And then Nadal's forehand is too long!

Re-Break Medvedev!

Nadal - Medvedev 2: 1:

Insane cross backhand from Nadal.

And then these are two breakballs!

Medvedev returns with an ace.

But then he throws in a double fault!

Break Nadal, the spectators cheer, Medvedev applauds, boos follow - and now the Russian needs the physio.

Crazy scenes here.

Nadal - Medvedev 1: 1:

Nadal makes his fourth double mistake in this game, stop-counterstop follows - and Nadal bites! But Medvedev comes to the breakball, which Nadal fends off brilliantly! His first service game here is again incredibly competitive, it's been eight minutes and we have a start again. After more than ten minutes he still brings the 1: 1 under one roof.

Nadal - Medvedev 0: 1:

Then we go into this fourth set: Medvedev serves and gets through his game.

A conversation between the Russian and referee Blom is then shown, which took place during the break: Medvedev asks whether the referee can say that every fan who calls in here is an idiot - because these people have nothing in their brains !

Blom replies that of course he can't do that.

Another classic Medvedev...

Nadal against Medvedev now in the live ticker: amazing final at the Australian Open

Nadal - Medvedev 6: 4:

Nadal is now serving here for the set!

Are we going to overtime?

The Spaniard is in full form now and delivers the first two winners straight away.

It's much braver, researcher, more determined now!

Two points missing to win the set.

“He's playing his best tennis here now.

And if he does it now, they'll tear down the place here," Eurosport commentator Matthias Stach is sure.

Three set balls!

And the first sits!

Nadal is on the scoreboard!

Nadal - Medvedev 5: 4:

Nice stop by Nadal, Medvedev of course comes up and counters longline.

But Nadal suspected that, half-volley counterattack!

Strong rally at the beginning, Nadal stays on the gas afterwards.

And Medvedev makes a brutal mistake, throws the ball into the net unchallenged!

The audience is on fire, sensing the break for Nadal!

Medvedev responds with scornful applause and receives boos.

Madness here at Rod Laver Arena and Rafa breaks it!

We have a match!

Nadal - Medvedev 4: 4:

Nadal plays against Medvedev's running direction, but the Russian can get to everything that is thrown in front of his nose here.

But the old master doesn't give up here - 4:4 after a mistake by Medvedev, more than three hours have been played.

Nadal against Medvedev now in the live ticker: Decision in the final of the Australian Open is getting closer

Nadal - Medvedev 3: 4:

Medvedev gets upset here because of heckling from the fans - the referee asks for silence.

Really charged atmosphere now in the Rod Laver Arena, Medvedev meanwhile gives instructions to the ball kids and is punished with boos.

Suddenly both players are on the net, Medvedev misses a sure winner, but wins the game in the end!

Nadal - Medvedev 3: 3:

Three breakballs Medvedev!

Now things seem to be going really fast here.

Nadal fends off the first one with a cream forehand stop, the Russian plays the second one too long.

He still has one... and it's gone too!

Insanity!

Medvedev suddenly delivers one mistake after another and Nadal is there - 3:3.

The crowd is clearly on the Spaniard's side, but he needs the fans here now too.

Nadal - Medvedev 2: 3:

Medvedev quickly leads 30: 0, he now leaves no doubt here.

The first serve almost always comes, Nadal just has a hard time.

Curious: The Spaniard almost shoots referee John Blom down on a return, but he leans back in time to avoid getting the ball.

Nadal immediately apologizes.

Nadal - Medvedev 2: 2:

Nadal bites into it, Medvedev is sometimes too passive.

But he doesn't have to in this phase of the game, since he has all the trumps in his hand.

The Russian is definitely fitter and would probably win every run against Nadal if in doubt.

The 35-year-old takes his second game of the set.

Nadal - Medvedev 1: 2:

Medvedev marches on here, Nadal doesn't have many chances to get a foot in the door.

Nadal - Medvedev 1: 1:

Nadal is not done with this final!

Strong serve to equalize.

Nadal - Medvedev 0: 1:

We're going into the third set.

Is it the last one?

Medvedev leads 2-0 and is close to his second Grand Slam triumph.

Nadal vs Medvedev live NOW: Fan on court - excitement at Australian Open final

Barbara Schett explained the incident with the speedster during the break: "A fan jumped onto the court from the front row," says the former tennis player from Austria, who works for Eurosport.

"My pulse went up for a short time, thank God the security reacted quickly." The poster the fan was carrying read: "Abolish refugee detention" - "Abolish refugee detention".

Let's focus on tennis again.

The match is two hours and 15 minutes old, Medvedev is serving.

With a lot of work he secures the first game here.

After a streaker moment: Medvedev wins the second set in the tie-break

Nadal - Medvedev Tiebreak 5: 7:

Crunch time! Nadal needs the sentence equalization, otherwise things might go very quickly here. It's immediately 2-0 for Nadal, Medvedev comes a little impetuously to the net - his timing just doesn't fit. And yet he equalizes, 2:2. The Spaniard responds with a serve and volley, played well! Then Medvedev attacks again, is wide in the field - 3:3! Nadal is braver, risks a lot - and is suddenly close to winning the set. But Medvedev parries! 5:5. And suddenly the Russian has a set ball - and he gets it! It's just great tennis the Russian is playing here, Nadal counters when he's at the net. 2: 0 after sentences! Medvedev has scored significantly more points than Nadal and is therefore more than deserved.

Nadal - Medvedev 6: 6:

Medvedev is getting less and less over the first serve, and of course you can see the two hours here now. Nadal tries a stop, Medvedev plays counter-stop - but the Spaniard smells it! 30 both, but Medvedev immediately counters with an ace. It'll probably be a tiebreak...that's it!

Nadal - Medvedev 6: 5:

33 unforced errors at Nadal! You really don't know such a value from him at all. If this should go wrong here today, the Mallorcan will certainly have to work through a few scenes in his analysis. But Medvedev is now shooting an unusual amount into the net. This tough fight leaves its mark. Nadal almost can't get past the first serve, he looks extremely exhausted. After an outstanding backhand, he has the ball again and shows his fist. And then the first serve finally hits! 6:5.

Nadal - Medvedev 5: 5:

And Medvedev stays cool, equalizes with a strong service game to 5: 5.

The second in the world rankings comes back impressively in the second set and seems to have overcome his interim low.

We're about to break the two-hour mark here.

Nadal - Medvedev 5:4:

Oh dear!

The ball is in the air forever, actually a safe point for Nadal.

But he hits the volley in the net.

Medvedev has two breakballs, the interplay continues.

Nadal fends off the first with a serve and volley and remains brave with the second!

debut!

Nadal vs Medvedev NOW live: Australian Open final suddenly interrupted

And what's going on now?

Suddenly there seems to be a speedster on the court, the game is interrupted.

“How can something like this happen?” Asks Boris Becker.

It's not clear from the TV footage what was going on at Rod Laver Arena.

After a short break, things continue - and Nadal plays a fantastic ball to prevent the next break.

Then the entire field is open, but the Spaniard is too long!

Bitter!

Again the break chance for Medvedev.

Nadal defends again and then leaves his first set ball.

And then it's the Russians after all!

Break Medvedev, 5:4 in the second.

Nadal - Medvedev 5: 3:

First double error now also with Medvedev.

Can Nadal capitalize on this directly?

That looks good!

The Spaniard keeps coming back with flat slices and thus secures a breakball again.

Important phase for Nadal.

And then it's a brilliant stop for the break!

Nadal - Medvedev 4: 3:

Now Medvedev is coming up again, of course he hasn't given up the second set yet!

re break!

4:3, everything back in line.

Nadal - Medvedev 4: 2:

Turbo service game by Medvedev, it is 4: 2.

Nadal vs Medvedev NOW live: Sudden turnaround in the Australian Open final

Nadal - Medvedev 4: 1:

The momentum is tipping here now!

Nadal is there, better come in.

Medvedev looks battered - was that maybe that long rally earlier that still has an effect?

And then Nadal delivers his first ace too!

Serve and volley follows, it was the Spaniard's fastest serve of the match.

4:1 in the second set!

Nadal - Medvedev 3: 1:

Fabulous!

Phenomenal rally here, 40 shots!

And Nadal wins the point with a crazy slice - two break points!

Medvedev immediately counters with an ace, but then he makes the mistake!

Break Nadal!

And the stadium is there immediately, the Spaniard has more support from the crowd here.

Nadal - Medvedev 2: 1:

Nadal pulls through his service game, an hour has now been played here.

Nadal - Medvedev 1: 1:

Medvedev is ten years younger than Nadal, but he seems much more mature here.

This is a very calm appearance of the Russian so far.

He hardly makes any mistakes, is incredibly quick on his feet and doesn't seem to know any fatigue at all.

Nadal, on the other hand, is sweating one shirt after the other - he's losing a lot more fluid than usual, and that's saying something.

A recipe for success from Medvedev: He serves very far to the outside, so Nadal already has brutal problems on the return.

The result is simple points.

Nadal - Medvedev 1: 0:

Nadal has to come up with something here, otherwise his chance of winning the 21st Grand Slam title will pass very quickly.

He starts the second set well and sticks to his variable game.

But he already makes the third double fault!

Nevertheless, it is enough to 1:0.

Medvedev leads Nadal in Australian Open final

Nadal - Medvedev 2: 6:

Medvedev shoots the surcharges here at 200 km/h, Nadal of course has problems with that.

And so it suddenly happens very quickly!

Two set balls for the Russian, Nadal returns the next big serve into the net - and so the first set goes to the 25-year-old!

Nadal - Medvedev 2:5:

What's going on with Nadal?

Two double faults in a row!

Rafa has problems here.

After a crazy rally, he gives away the next chance, Medvedev gets three breakballs again.

The Spaniard then serves far out, Medvedev's return is actually an invitation again - but Nadal hits the volley wafer-thin.

Break again, 5:2 for the Russian!

Nadal - Medvedev 2: 4:

"I've never seen Nadal play like this," says tennis legend Boris Becker at Eurosport in the live analysis.

Change of pace, high balls, a lot of slices - but Medvedev has an answer for everything and, as always, is incredibly athletic.

The Russian needs two minutes on his service games, Nadal on his six minutes.

You can see the effort of the old master.

Nadal - Medvedev 2: 3:

Medvedev is again 30: 0 ahead in Nadal's service game.

The Spaniard has changed his game extremely and wants to get Medvedev going again and again.

But he stays cool and has outstanding precision in his shots.

Suddenly there are three breakballs!

And the first sits, Nadal is too long.

Break ahead for Medvedev.

Nadal - Medvedev 2: 2:

The Russian has less trouble with his service games and throws in an ace again.

2:2

Nadal against Medvedev now in the live ticker: early madness in the final of the Australian Open

Nadal - Medvedev 2: 1:

Great rallies! Medvedev keeps trying to keep Nadal on his backhand. The Spaniard, on the other hand, constantly varies the pace. Medvedev then has a huge chance of three breakballs, but the old master pulls his head out of the noose impressively! And the audience completely freaks out early on! Incredible tennis here in Melbourne. Medvedev gets two break points, but Nadal is there and makes it 2-1. A look at his face makes it immediately clear how exhausting this match is: sweat is dripping down his face, a ball girl even has to wipe the court on the baseline for a moment.

20 minutes have been played and it's only 2:1!

If this continues, we might be able to look forward to the longest Grand Slam final in history.

Incidentally, Nadal already holds this record when he was also on the pitch in Melbourne in 2012.

The match against Novak Djokovic lasted five hours and 53 minutes.

The Serb won.

Nadal - Medvedev 1: 1:

Medvedev comes as powerful on his serve and secures his first game here relatively smoothly.

Finally there is an ace - a weapon that the Russian will probably use more often here.

Nadal - Medvedev 1: 0:

And departure!

Nadal serves here for the grand finale.

And the Spaniard immediately dictates what is happening with his forehand.

Medvedev makes some mistakes, a nervous start.

But no wonder, after all, this is a Grand Slam!

The Russian fends off two balls and forces a debut.

But Nadal gets the thing, the start here lasts seven minutes!

A sign of how competitive this duel will be today.

9.44 am:

7.44 pm in Melbourne, 27 degrees Celsius, the sun is shining but it is shaded on the court.

Brilliant setting for this final.

We are looking forward to a hopefully long and exciting match!

9.38 a.m .:

And here they are at last!

Rafael Nadal is the first to march into Rod Laver Arena.

A short time later, Daniil Medvedev also comes, almost 15,000 fans greet the two with applause.

Maximum occupancy of the stadium: 80 percent!

The Bundesliga would be happy about such corona requirements, in Bavaria, for example, only ten percent are permitted.

9.28 a.m .:

It starts here any moment!

We look forward to a tennis spectacle!

Update from January 30, 8:52 a.m .:

While Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev are grabbing the title right here, the German number one is already preparing for the next tournament.

Alexander Zverev will start in Montpellier next week.

But he would certainly have preferred to open in Melbourne today.

Update from January 30, 8 a.m.:

The grand finale starts here in 90 minutes.

It was the women's turn on Saturday - and there, too, tournament history was at stake.

Ashleigh Barty prevailed in the final against the American Danielle Collins and finally let Australia celebrate again: For the first time in 44 years, the proud sporting nation again has a winner at the home Grand Slam.

Nadal vs. Medvedev in the live ticker: old master calls for tennis bullies in the Australian Open final

First report from January 30, 7.36 a.m .:

Melbourne – The big day has come! Rafael Nadal (35) and Daniil Medvedev (25) are contesting the final of the Australian Open this Sunday. The Spaniard is aiming for his 21st Grand Slam title, a move that would trump his two eternal rivals. Currently, Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have won exactly 20 major tournaments. "We can make history, but the truth is that two months ago we didn't know if I could even come back to the tour," said Nadal, who had been sidelined for months last season with a foot problem.

Medvedev is a full ten years younger than Nadal and has the chance to win his second Grand Slam today.

The Russian landed the first coup in September 2021 in New York when he won the US Open.

Does he catch up today?

Medvedev is the clear favorite among bookmakers.

In the semifinals, he impressively prevailed against Stefanos Tsitsipas and casually messed with the referee.

Australian Open: Final today in the live ticker - Nadal or Medvedev

Before the start of the Australian Open, Olympic champion Alexander Zverev (24) was still highly traded.

Possible finalist, title aspirant - but ultimately the round of 16 should be the end of the line.

Medvedev now takes his place in the generational duel.

Can the Russian spoil the Mallorcan old master's hunt for the record?

We are excited and accompany the match for you in the live ticker.

It starts at 9.30 a.m.!

If you would like to follow the duel live on TV, we have summarized all the information about the broadcast here.

Rafael Nadal: The way to the final of the Australian Open

Daniil Medvedev: The way to the final of the Australian Open

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