The Spaniard would win his 21st Grand Slam tournament with a victory in the Melbourne final – overtaking Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Or will Daniil Medvedev become a party crasher?
Will tennis history be made in Melbourne today? Are we experiencing a historic moment? The sports world will be spellbound by the Rod Laver Arena in the Australian metropolis – because Rafael Nadal could with a win against Daniel Medvedev in the final of Australian Open ensure a new record: It would be the 21st Grand Slam title for the Spaniard – a lonely top, the 35-year-old would put himself ahead of his eternal rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic set – currently all three are in 20 titles at the big four tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open).
“The Bull of Manacor” could be the sole record holder today – if Medvedev doesn’t object. Because the Russian – currently second in the world rankings – only won his first Grand Slam tournament last September, triumphing at the US Open in New York. The 25-year-old is in top form – and could end Nadal’s dreams. Who prevails?
Follow the men’s final here in the live ticker:
2:6, 1:1: Medvedev gets through his first service game in the second set without any major problems.
2:6, 1:0: phew! Take another deep breath for Nadal – and maybe he just needed this point to get the second set off to a good start. After his second double fault, he comes back and makes everything clear with a forehand. Nevertheless: Medvedev is currently playing smarter and using his strength better.
2:6: That’s where it happened! Daniil Medvedev wins the 1st set! Nadal obviously doesn’t feel well, has problems with his opponent’s game. The Spaniard has to work much harder for his points. Symptomatic: A simple forehand that hits Nadal in the net at close range. With an ace, Medvedev makes everything clear. One more number: Nadal has already made 16 mistakes.
2:5: What’s going on with Nadal? A double fault from the Spaniard! You rarely see that from him. And again Medvedev countered him at the next rally, got the point after Nadal stopped with a forehand. Then a volley out. The next break for the Russian.
2:4: Medvedev is expanding his lead – he is actually the stronger player on the court at the moment. Medvedev remains calm, has adapted better and better to Nadal’s unfamiliar game, who also makes too many mistakes and inaccuracies. Nadal has a lot more trouble.
2:3: There is actually the first break of the game! Medvedev keeps countering Nadal’s punches. In addition, Nadal no longer brings his serve so safely over the net, often has to go over the second attempt. Then a forehand goes out – and Medvedev leads.
2:2: Nadal continues to play extremely variably, keeps adding slices, then picks up the pace again. Unusual for him. Medvedev doesn’t really like that. But with his second ace, he gets through his service game.
2:1: What kind of rallies are these so early in the match? Very, very high level between the two! First Medvedev gets the 30:0 with a backhand longline, then Nadal comes back with two outstanding punches! First a stopper at 15:30 from his point of view, then he comes to the net and equalizes. But then he already has eight (!) unforced errors. That’s actually too much. Nevertheless, he secured the point with a forehand in the end. A hard won point.
1:1: That was faster. Medvedev equalizes with an ace, the Russian’s serve is already in place – and so far he has managed not to let Nadal’s game be forced on him.
1:0: Nadal starts powerfully as usual and immediately puts pressure on Medvedev. The Russian looks a bit nervous at the beginning and has little to counter the Spaniard’s service game. But then he comes back, finds his way into the game better, provokes mistakes in Nadal. In the end, the 35-year-old prevailed – this first point lasted seven minutes.
9:46 am: It’s getting quiet at Rod Laver Arena. Medvedev knocks the last serves over the net, then both sit down on their bench again. Nadal is the first to stand up – he will serve.
9:42 am: The two finalists are now familiarizing themselves. It’s about to start.
9:40 am: Even beforehand, the Spaniard spoke about the possibility of winning his 21st Grand Slam title: “We can make history, but the truth is that two months ago we didn’t know if I could even come back on the tour” – Nadal had to pause for months last year with a long-term foot injury.
9:38 am: Nadal is the first to come out in the Rod Laver Arena and is greeted enthusiastically by almost 15,000 spectators. Then comes Medvedev – the Russian, who likes to mess with the audience, can clearly be heard booing.
9:21 am: A comparison of the paths of the two stars to the final:
Rafael Nadal:
1st round: 6:1, 6:4, 6:2 against Marcos Giron (USA)
2nd round: 6:2, 6:3, 6:4 against Yannick Hanfmann (Karlsruhe)
3rd round: 6:3, 6:2, 3:6, 6:1 against Karen Khachanov (Russia)
Round of 16: 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 v Adrian Mannarino (France)
Quarter-finals: 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 v Denis Shapovalov (Canada)
Semi-finals: 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 vs. Matteo Berrettini (Italy)
Daniel Medvedev:
1st round: 6:1, 6:4, 7:6 (7:3) against Henri Laaksonen (Switzerland)
2nd round: 7: 6 (7: 1), 6: 4, 4: 6, 6: 2 against Nick Kyrgios (Australia)
3rd round: 6:4, 6:4, 6:2 against Botic van de Zandschulp (Netherlands)
Round of 16: 6-2, 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (4-7), 7-5 vs. Maxime Cressy (USA)
Quarter-finals: 6-7 (4-7), 3-6, 7-6 (7-2) vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada)
Semi-finals: 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 vs Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece)
9:15 am: The Australian Open tweet takes us back an incredible 18 years and commemorates Rafael Nadal’s first participation in the tournament “down under” in 2004.
“Rafa” was just 17 years old back then – and started one of the greatest careers in tennis history.
9:15 am: Welcome to the Australian Open final. Rafal Nadal meets Daniil Medvedev.