Australian Open 2022 final: Nadal – Medvedev, battle royale for a grand finale

The context

In the absence of Novak Djokovic, world number one, nine-time winner of the tournament, three-time defending champion and who would naturally have been the favorite of the tournament, this Australian Open of excellent craftsmanship could not have dreamed of a finer grand finale than this duel. between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev. The theoretical final, with regard to the classification, should have pitted Medvedev against Alexander Zverev, but in terms of historical significance at least, the presence of Nadal instead of the German as the representative at the top of the table has a much higher value.

On the Rod Laver Arena, the Majorcan will simply play to become the most successful Grand Slam player in history. Who would have imagined that when he stayed away from the courts for months (two games played between the beginning of June and the beginning of January) and his only participation was still uncertain a few weeks ago? There is nothing surprising with a champion of this caliber and this stature, but all the same. The main interested party would probably not have bet too big on him when he arrived in Australia.

If Nadal can write a page of history, it is nevertheless Daniil Medvedev who undoubtedly plays the biggest. Not only because Nadal could hardly be considered a title candidate barely a month ago, unlike him, but also because the Muscovite has a golden opportunity to mark the spirits and the competition.

By winning a second consecutive Grand Slam title, he would indeed sign an unprecedented feat in the Open era. It would also be the first time in the 21st century that a player not named Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic would manage to win two Majors in a row. A crazy statistic, which gives both the measure of the infernal hold of the Big 3 but also of the impact that such a performance would have on the part of Gilles Cervara’s protege, who will also have to manage a new fact for him: if it is his fourth grand final, it is the first that he will approach with the sign of the favorite or, at the very least, without being the “Little”.

On paper, a handkerchief seems to separate the two men. They have spent the same amount of time on the court within 25 minutes, have both wobbled once or twice, especially in the quarterfinals, won their semifinals with authority in four sets and their last three straight duels have gone all the way. distance, in three or five sets. What place this final under the seal of uncertainty. Excitement, too. There is everything for it to remain in the annals. It doesn’t matter who wins.

Face to face

. If Daniil Medvedev has already crossed swords 10 times with Novak Djokovic, this will only be his 5th duel against Rafael Nadal. And the Majorcan leads 3-1 so far.

. However, the Russian prevailed in their last meeting in the semi-finals of the London Masters in 2020 (3-6, 7-6, 6-4). And under the same conditions the previous year, he had his hair cut at the post (6-7, 6-3, 7-6) after having led 5-1 in the last set.

. Nadal therefore won their only previous Grand Slam encounter, in the 2019 US Open final in five sets (7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4) and almost five hours of fighting. . Medvedev was then playing his very first Major final.

Their journeys

1st round: defeats Marcos Giron [E-U] 6-1, 6-4, 6-2
2nd round: defeats Yannick Hanfmann [ALL/Q] 6-2, 6-3, 6-4
3rd round: defeats Karen Khachanov [RUS/N°28] 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
1/8th final: beats Adrian Mannarino [FRA] 7-6(14), 6-2, 6-2
1/4 final: Denis Shapovalov defeated [CAN/N°14] 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3
1/2 final: beat Matteo Berrettini [ITA/N°7] 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3

1st round: defeats Henri Laaksonen [SUI] 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(3)
2nd round: defeats Nick Kyrgios [AUS] 7-6(1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
3rd round: defeats Botic Van De Zandschulp [P-B] 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
1/8th final: defeats Maxime Cressy [E-U] 6-2, 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 7-5
1/4 final: defeats Félix Auger-Aliassime [CAN/N°9] 6-7(4), 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-5, 6-4
1/2 final: beat Stefanos Tsitsipas [GRE/N°4] 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1

Three stats to keep in mind

1. Daniil Medvedev will not be able to become world number one on Monday, the points for the Australian Open not being subtracted until February 21. But if he wins Sunday in the final against Nadal, the Russian will be mechanically guaranteed to take power on this date, since Novak Djokovic should not return to the circuit until … February 21, in Dubai. It would be the end of an era: since February 2, 2004, first place in the ATP rankings has only been occupied by the four members of the Big Four: Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray.

35. At 35 years and 241 days, Rafael Nadal can become the 3rd oldest player to win a Grand Slam in the Open era. Only two champions have been crowned over the age of 35: Ken Rosewall, winner of four major titles at an older age than the Spaniard is today, and Roger Federer, winner three times beyond his 35th birthday , in Melbourne in 2017 and 2018 as well as at Wimbledon in 2017. Nadal is also only the fourth player over 35 in the Australian Open final since 1968, after Rosewall, Federer and Mal Anderson.

80. The percentage of points won by Rafael Nadal behind his first ball in his first six matches. Daniil Medvedev does a little better (81%) but the serve is supposed to be a more decisive weapon for the Russian than for the Spaniard. Except that, in the case of the latter, it’s a long-held idea. Nadal’s face-off has become a trump card for him. He can become as hard to break as anyone. Against Shapovalov, in the quarter-finals, it was even his commitment that kept him alive when he was physically in pain. This sector of the game will, again, be decisive on Sunday.

They said

Rafael Nadal : “I had opportunities to win a second time here, and therefore at least twice in all the Grand Slams, in 2012, 2014 or 2017. I am happy to have a new opportunity. But more than for all these statistics, for me, what is important is to be in the final of the Australian Open. Not too long ago, I thought that this tournament might be an opportunity to tell the see again.”

Daniel Medvedev: “We know Rafa’s life philosophy. I don’t know if I should say it like that, but he’s kind of the perfect guy. He’s never broken a racquet. It’s probably going to be a very physical game, Rafa likes to lengthen rallies, so do I. I remember last year’s final, and even if the opponent was different, I will try to be better prepared, more focused, and give my all.”

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