Rafael Nadal - Matchless at 21

Rafael Nadal roared back from two sets down to win a titanic fiveset duel with Daniil Medvedev and claim a record 21st Grand Slam menrsquos title in the Australian Open final on SundayThe Spanish great looked dead and buried as the Russian World No2 carved out a twoset lead but Nadal 35 surged home for one of his mightiest comeback wins 26 67 64 64 64 in 5hr 24min on Rod Laver ArenaRafael Nadal is ecstatic after beating Daniil Medvedev to win the Australian Open title yesterday PicGetty ImagesNadal came out on top in the physical war of attrition to move ahead of era rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on the alltime list of menrsquos major winners It was one of the Spanish warriorrsquos greatest title victories in his 29th Grand Slam final as he won his second Australian Open 13 years after his firstin 2009lsquoEmotional matchrsquoldquoThis has been one of the most emotional matches of my tennis careerrdquo Nadal said ldquoItrsquos just amazing I didnrsquot know a few months back if I would even be playing again on the tour and I am back on this court before you all today You donrsquot know how much I fought to be here The huge support I have received in the three weeks here is going to stay in my heart for the rest of my liferdquoNadal also became only the fourth man to win each of the four Grand Slams twice and the third oldest man in the Open Era since 1970 to win a Grand Slam title behind Ken Rosewall and Federer The final went down to the bitter end with Nadal being broken as he served for the championship only for the Spaniard to break back On his second attempt to serve it out Nadal powered to three match points to win amid chaotic scenes in his playerrsquos box and the frenzied crowd It is the fourth time in his storied career that Nadal had clawed back to win from two sets down but the first time in a Slam final It was the second time Nadal had denied Medvedev in a Grand Slam final winning a fiveset epic at the 2019 US OpenMedvedev lost his second consecutive Australian Open final after falling in straight sets to Djokovic in last yearrsquos finalMedvedev amazedldquoItrsquos tough to talk after five hours 30 and losing but I want to congratulate Rafa because what you did today I was amazed You raised your level after two sets for the 21st Grand Slam I thought you were going to get tired and maybe you did a little but you still wonrdquo Medvedev saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever