Daniil Medvedev ‘choked’ in third set of his Australian Open final loss to Rafael Nadal – John McEnroe

John McEnroe believes Daniil Medvedev “choked” in the third set and allowed Rafael Nadal to fight back and win their Australian Open final thriller. With the Russian leading by two sets, he had 0-40 on the Nadal serve at 3-2 in the third. Although Nadal showed tremendous fight to hold serve, he was aided by some peculiar shots from his opponent.

Ad/> It proved costly. Nadal clicked into action as the momentum swung in his favour and, after five hours and 24 minutes, sealed victory and his 21st Grand Slam title. Australian OpenTennis legends salute King Rafa – AO diaryAN HOUR AGO “The turning point of the match was 2-3, it was two sets to love,” said Eurosport expert and seven-time major champion McEnroe.

“It felt like Rafa felt deflated. I don't want to say he was resigned because obviously he's never resigned, he proved that, but it looked like he sort of expected that this was about to happen and losing in straight sets. “I think Medvedev played a couple, I don't want to say careless, but maybe loose points.

He got a little tentative because he could taste the finish line. “And then all of a sudden it allowed the crowd back into the match because obviously the crowd was a big factor, I think. “Then he started to show his edginess and started showing he was frustrated with the crowd and that made it worse for him.

And that was the turning point right there.” Tennis legends salute King Rafa – AO diary 'Not for a Russian' – Medvedev hints his nationality led to boos at Australian Open 'F***' — Nadal drops expletive when describing his emotional rollercoaster McEnroe added: “As soon as that slight momentum shift, then he started to get tight. And basically to me he choked in the third set at that point. To me, he should