Australian Open live blog: Rafael Nadal faces Daniil Medvedev in the men's singles final as the Spaniard seeks record 21st grand slam title

Daniil Medvedev stopped Novak Djokovic's quest for a record 21st grand slam men's singles title at the US Open but can he stop Rafael Nadal's quest for the same history at Melbourne Park?

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By Paul Johnson

Tactically speaking this one won't be too different for Medvedev from his normal style.

The Russian will look to position himself as the metronomic brick wall that he usually is and extend the points against his 35-year-old opponent who has made no secret of the fact that he has recently had a bout of COVID that knocked him around and has battled a foot injury.

For Nadal it will be about shortening some of those points by dragging Medvedev wide with his trademark forehand and then finishing the points at the net.

Both players have served at an extremely high level throughout the tournament and both are exceptional returners of serve, which really means it could all come down to who serves better and in that area the advantage goes to the player who is less prone to double faults.

That player is Nadal.

By Paul Johnson

Nadal leads their personal head-to-head battle 3-1 but Medvedev won their last encounter

Slam finals records

Nadal 20-8

Medvedev 1-2

By Paul Johnson

Three men, all modern day and all-time greats of tennis are currently deadlocked on 20 grand slam singles titles, one of them again has the chance to separate himself from the pack.

That man is Rafael Nadal.

Right now he's deadlocked with great rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Tonight standing in his way is rising Russian star Daniil Medvedev.

Ironically it was Medvedev who stalled Djokovic's quest for this particular slice of history at Flushing Meadow last September and reduced the