Rafael Nadal wins an impossible Australian Open after beating Daniil Medvedev 2-6 6-7(5) 6-4 6-4 7-5 in the final in Melbourne on Sunday. This is the second time that Rafa won this tournament that Rafael wins this tournament. He is now the man who holds most slam titles (singles) surpassing both Federer and Djokovic stuck at 20.
Nadal looked doomed after he was facing 3 break points when he was 2-6 6-7(5)) 2-3 0-40. Rafa managed to bounce back in style. However, there was a final drama at the very end of this five hours and 24 minutes encounter. When Nadal was broken when he was 5-4 up in the decider, things looked good for Medvedev. Eventually, Nadal broke again his opponent (6-5) to finally hold and win this fantastic title.
Rafael added $ 2,200,000 to his prize money after conquering this final. He has earned $ 4,400,000 in total after winning this tournament.
Highlights Rafael Nadal vs. Daniil Medvedev Australian Open – Melbourne
Nadal’s Interview
Stats: aces, double faults, breaks, winners
6-4 7-5
5h:24
After this contest, the head to head between Nadal and Medvedev is 3-1 for Rafael.
This was the 90th career title for the Spaniard. (see list of titles and finals). Medvedev remains with 13th titles. (see list of titles and finals)
Live score progression and stats
Daniil in this set was more solid than Rafael and finally he won 6-2 after breaking Rafael in the 5th (3-2) and in the 7th (5-2) game.
The Spaniard was not able to offer any resistance in the last 5 games of the set when the scoreline went from 1-2 to 6-2.
The Russian was perfect in converting all his break points in the 3rd (1-1 30-40 and 40-A), the 5th (2-2 0-40) and the 7th game (4-2 0-40). On the other side, Daniil didn’t concede a single break point during this set.
They contested 48 points. Daniil was the winner of the set after clinching 14 points more than Nadal (31-17). The Russian conceded 6 points on serve (16-6). On the losing side, Nadal conceded 15 points on serve (11-15).
The Russian won the set after recovering 2 times from a break down. In fact, after dropping his serve in the 4th (1-3) and in the 8th (3-5) game, Daniil broke back in the 7th (3-4) and in the 9th (4-5) game before bringing the set at the breaker that he won 7-5.
Tiebreak
Daniil won 3 minibreaks in the 4th (2-2), 9th (4-5) and 12th (7-5) point. On the other side, Rafael won 3 minibreaks in the 2nd (2-0), 6th (3-3) and 7th (4-3) point.
This was the tiebreak sequence: 0-1, 0-2, 1-2, 2-2, 2-3, 3-3, 3-4, 3-5, 4-5, 5-5, 6-5, 7-5
Medvedev was flawless in converting all his break points in the 7th (2-4 15-40) and the 9th game (3-5 15-40, 30-40, 40-A, 40-A and 40-A). Medvedev saved 2 set points when he was 3-5 and 4-5 down. Furthermore, on the other side, the Spaniard was spot on in converting all his break points in the 4th (2-1 15-40 and 30-40) and the 8th game (4-3 30-40).
They played 89 points. Daniil was the winner of the set after clinching 5 more points than the Spaniard (47-42). Medvedev dropped 14 points on serve (25-14). Regarding the other side of the net, Nadal conceded 22 points on serve (28-22).
Both players managed to hold their service games for the entire set. The only difference was just 1 break that Nadal grabbed in the 9th game (5-4) prior to eventually conquering the set (6-4).
Nadal converted 33% of his break points (1/3). He had 3 break points opportunities in the 1st (0-0 40-A) and the 9th game (4-4 15-40 and 30-40). On the other side, Daniil was unable to convert any of his 3 break points. He had 3 break points opportunities in the 6th game (3-2 0-40, 15-40 and 30-40).
They contested 71 points. The set was a huge battle since finally Rafael won just 3 points more than Medvedev (37-34). Rafael surrendered 10 points on serve (23-10). Regarding the other side of the net, Daniil conceded 14 points on serve (24-14).
The Spaniard won the set after he broke the Russian in the 3rd (2-1) and in the 5th (3-2) game. Daniil tried to stage a comeback breaking in the 4th (2-2) game. Anyhow, Nadal kept the focus to conquer the set 6-4.
The Spaniard converted 20% of his break points (2/10). He had 10 break points opportunities in the 3rd (1-1 15-40 and 30-40), the 5th (2-2 0-40, 15-40, 30-40, 40-A, 40-A, 40-A and 40-A) and the 9th game (5-3 30-40). Moreover, on the other side, Daniil converted 20% of his break points (1/5). He had his opportunities in the 2nd (1-1 30-40 and 40-A), the 4th (1-2 30-40) and the 8th game (3-4 15-40 and 30-40).
They played 77 points. The Spaniard conquered the set after winning 5 more points than the Russian (41-36). Nadal conceded 13 points on serve (22-13). On the losing side, Medvedev conceded 19 points on serve (23-19).
The 5th set random the deciding set was a thriller.
Nadal won the set after he broke the Russian in the 5th (3-2) and in the 11th (6-5) game. The Russian tried to stage a comeback breaking in the 10th (5-5) game. Nevertheless, Nadal kept the situation under control to win the set 7-5.
Nadal converted 33% of his break points (2/6). He had 6 break points opportunities in the 1st (0-0 30-40), the 5th (2-2 30-40 and 40-A) and the 11th game (5-5 30-40, 40-A and 40-A). Furthermore, on the other side, Daniil converted 25% of his break points (1/4). He had his opportunities in the 6th (2-3 40-A, 40-A and 40-A) and the 10th game (4-5 30-40).
They contested 86 points. Rafael conquered the set after winning 4 more points than Medvedev (45-41). Nadal dropped 16 points on serve (28-16). On the losing side, Daniil conceded 17 points on serve (25-17).
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