Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated1643562112

Australian Open final LIVE: Rafael Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev tennis result and latest updates

Follow live reaction from the Australian Open men’s final

Dylan Terry
Sunday 30 January 2022 17:01 GMT
Comments
'We need to suffer and we need to fight' - Nadal ready for the big final

Follow live reaction as Rafael Nadal produced a stunning comeback from two sets down to defeat Daniil Medvedev and win a record-breaking 21st grand slam title in an epic Australian Open final. The Spaniard, just months after almost retiring from the sport due to a foot injury, moves clear of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer after winning his second Australian Open title in a classic and exhausting battle over more than five hours in Melbourne.

The 35-year-old defeated tournament favourite and world No 2 Medvedev 2-6, 6-7, 6-4 6-4 7-5. Medvedev, the US Open champion, was aiming to become the first player in the Open era to win a second grand slam title immediately after winning his first. The Russian moved two sets up after prevailing in a tiebreak at the end of a marathon 84-minute second set, only for Nadal to stage a remarkable fightback.

A forehand winner earned Nadal the crucial break of serve in the decider, before he held off three break points from Medvedev in a 13-minute service game as he tried to close out the match. Nadal was two points away from victory as he served for the match at 5-4, only for Medvedev to produce a fightback of his own and claim the break. But Nadal struck back with a second break, before serving for the most remarkable win of his career. Follow live reaction from the Australian Open final:

1643552124

Australian Open final: Rafa Nadal beats Daniil Medvedev 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 7-5

The moment it happened. The moment Rafa Nadal made history by securing a 21st Grand Slam title.

What an incredible achievement.

Dylan Terry30 January 2022 14:15
1643551993

Australian Open final: Rafa Nadal beats Daniil Medvedev 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 7-5

SIMPLY UNBELIEVABLE.

NO, I WON’T TAKE CAPS LOCK OFF.

Dylan Terry30 January 2022 14:13
1643551952

Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 7-5 Medvedev

RAFA NADAL HAS DONE IT! ABSOLUTELY ASTONISHING! FROM TWO SETS DOWN, HE HAS WON THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN!

A 21ST GRAND SLAM TITLE!

Dylan Terry30 January 2022 14:12
1643551895

Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 *6-5 Medvedev

ACE! 40-0. THREE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS.

Dylan Terry30 January 2022 14:11
1643551832

Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 *6-5 Medvedev

Wonderful backhand from Nadal forces Medvedev to find the net and get the Spaniard off to the perfect start. 15-0.

Medvedev goes long with a return. 30-0 again for Nadal! He’s two points away. But we’ve been here before...

Dylan Terry30 January 2022 14:10
1643551773

Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 *6-5 Medvedev

He couldn’t serve out the match a few minutes ago. Now he has the opportunity to do it all over again.

Rafa Nadal, for the second time, will serve for a 21st Grand Slam title.

Dylan Terry30 January 2022 14:09
1643551574

Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 6-5* Medvedev

Nadal skews a backhand wide. Not a good time to make an unforced error like that. Deuce in yet another game.

A wonderful Nadal forehand and Medvedev can’t keep his defensive shot in! Nadal has the advantage. Another break point.

The serve gets Medvedev out of trouble. Deuce again.

A Medvedev backhand goes long! Another break point opportunity for Nadal.

MEDVEDEV GOES LONG AGAIN! NADAL HAS BROKEN AGAIN!

Dylan Terry30 January 2022 14:06
1643551499

Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 5-5* Medvedev

This match is moving so fast, I can’t keep up.

Nadal passes Medvedev with a forehand that he simply cannot get enough on to keep in.

Then it’s Nadal who is forced to stretch and can only hook a tired slice into the net. 15-15.

Ace. 30-15.

Wonderful from Nadal! He meets Medvedev’s drop shot with one of his own which beats the Russian!

Break point Nadal! Medvedev goes wide with a forehand!

Dylan Terry30 January 2022 14:04
1643551390

Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 *5-5 Medvedev

He has! Nadal puts a backhand into the net and Medvedev breaks!!

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?! Nadal was 30-0 up and two points away from the title!

Dylan Terry30 January 2022 14:03
1643551223

Australian Open final: Nadal 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 *5-4 Medvedev

Double fault! 30-30.

Medvedev has a break point! His forehand does the damage and he finishes it off with a smash!

He couldn’t, could he?

Dylan Terry30 January 2022 14:00

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in