Rafael Nadal roars back to beat Daniil Medvedev in Australian Open final and claim 21st Grand Slam title

Rafael Nadal roared back to secure a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title as he outfought Daniil Medvedev in an epic victory in the Australian Open final. The Russian second seed was eyeing two majors on the bounce after he claimed his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open, but Nadal staged a famous comeback from two sets down to win a marathon match in thrilling fashion, 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 7-5.

Ad/> Medvedev, who lost out to Novak Djokovic in the 2021 showpiece at Melbourne Park, overwhelmed his legendary opponent early on with utterly relentless groundstrokes as he stormed into a commanding lead. Australian Open'They can pass to each other?!' — Medvedev in bizarre rant about ball kids to umpire2 HOURS AGO But the 35-year-old Nadal responded miraculously as he powered back to win the third and fourth sets, showing all his usual guts and resolve, and he went on to eventually defeat an exhausted Medvedev in a match that lasted well over five hours.

Nadal fired a big winner to begin the match, and it was immediately made abundantly clear that the Spaniard had the vast majority of the fans inside Rod Laver Arena on his side. But Medvedev responded in unerring fashion to win five games in succession and sweep to the opening set with his opponent left dripping with sweat and unable to establish himself on serve.

The 25-year-old from Moscow was swiftly declared the «heavy favourite» for the title by Eurosport's Mats Wilander after Djokovic was deported from Melbourne in an acrimonious fashion before the start of the tournament, and it was clear to see why. Nadal refused to be dictated to and found some inspiration in the second set to break serve after an incredible 40-shot rally ended with an audacious slice which brought the