Rafael Nadal won a record-tying 21st Grand Slam men’s title in stunning fashion, rallying from a two-set deficit to defeat Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in a classic Australian Open final.
Nadal rallied to win 2-6 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-4 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena, backed by a boisterous Melbourne crowd.
Medvedev was attempting to win his second major title in a row.
Medvedev, 25, was in control until Nadal displayed all of his renowned grit and determination to earn an extraordinary victory.
The 35-year-old Spaniard has been at the center of some of the sport’s most incredible victories – but this will undoubtedly go down as his most incredible Grand Slam triumph.
Nadal’s triumph comes just months after he was convinced he would never be able to return to the tour due to a foot injury.
In the absence of deported Novak Djokovic and injured Roger Federer in Melbourne, Nadal moved one point ahead of his great rivals in the race for the most major men’s singles titles.
This is the left-second hander’s Australian Open title, 13 years after his first.
