New Delhi: Spanish Tennis player Rafael Nadal defeated Russian seeded Daniil Medvedev in the 5-set finals and won his 21st Australia Open 2022 title at the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, on January 30, 2022.
Nadal won the toss and made an early point on his first serve. Nadal tried dictating the course of the match, but a clever Medvedev kept defending his volleys and equalised scores. Medvedev broke his serve yet took a 2-3 lead. The Russian sped past Nadal and won the opening set 6-2.
Medvedev equalised scores 1-1 in the second set. Nadal smashed two forehand points in his favour and snatched the lead. Nadal even got two breakpoints and converted the second. Medvedev equalised scores 5-5 and pushed the game to a deuce. Nadal gained a point as Medvedev won the tiebreaker with 2 points 7-6 (5).
The next set began with an ace by Medvedev, but Nadal quickly equalised scores at 1-1. The Russian struck another ace, a dipping backhand cross-court service, and earned two points. The tight set had both players levelling scores after a defensive Nadal eventually equalised scores to 4-4. He smashed a forehand and won his first set 6-4.
The fourth set began with Nadal ahead by 2 points. He used his backhand and received three breakpoints. Nadal also netted through his forehand cross-court. Medvedev saved a crucial sixth breakpoint of Nadal, who drew into the net and made another breakpoint.
The Spaniard sealed a point with two backhand volleys and an inside-out forehand. He then picked up from the net to seal a point. Nadal was leading the set when Medvedev bounced back. He pushed the game into another tiebreaker. Nadal changed his strategy and smashed a serve to win the consequent set 6-4.
Things seemed heated when Medvedev opened the final set with a point. He went on to gain four break points as his opponent faced unforced errors. The decider set saw Nadal taking charge as he forced an all-court coverage. Nadal smashed forehand services and volleys and gained breakpoints.
Medvedev made a comeback in the intense set. He held a point and tried equalising scores at 4-3. However, Nadal swished a backhand and secured his lead. Medvedev sent a drop-shot, destroyed his opponent’s groundstrokes, and made an aggressive net shot to equalise scores at 5-5.
Medvedev pushed the final set in the deuce, with Nadal making a serve. Nadal made a forehand down the line that fetched him a breakpoint. He also made a wide backhand. On the other hand, Medvedev saved his service. Nadal went ahead, smashed a serve and an ace, and won the match 7-5.
(Avya Mathur)