Spaniard makes remarkable comeback from two sets down to beat Russia’s Medvedev.
Another epic five-set men’s Australian Open final ended on Sunday with Rafael Nadal winning 2-6,6-7 (5),6-4,6-4,7-5, beating Daniil Medvedev in five hours and 24 minutes. The Spaniard won his 21st Grand Slam title, ahead of his great rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who both have 20. A tournament that started in such controversial circumstances with the deportation of world number one and defending champion Djokovic ended with what the organizers would have dearly hoped—a women’s home champion in Ashleigh Barty, and a gripping men’s final with a big-name winner. Nadal,35, was seeking only his second Australian title, having won in 2009 and having been the defeated finalist another four times; Medvedev was seeking a second successive Slam title after his first in New York in September. In that match, he had beaten Djokovic who was aiming for the first calendar grand slam in the men’s game since Rod Laver in 1969. This time, he was also looking to spoil a historic moment but was unable to convert as his two-set lead evaporated. The match was marked by sensational rallies, with both players hitting a high number of winners,69 by Nadal and 76 by Medvedev.
