Rafa Nadal produced one of the greatest comebacks in tennis history in a five-set Australian Open men’s singles final thriller to beat Daniil Medvedev and claim his record 21st Grand Slam title on Sunday night 2-6 6-7 (5) 6-4 6-4 7-5.
But it was Medvedev who broke first, jumping to a 5-2 lead before taking the first set.
Nadal then bounced back, racing to a 4-1 lead, but Medvedev broke back and was broken himself as the second set hung in the balance at 5-3 in Nadal’s favour.
![](https://sj8cdb.n3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/AO22-D14-RAFA-NADAL-CELEBRATES-AS-HE-WINS-21ST-SLAM-002-1024x769.jpg)
Play was then brought to a halt by an idiot jumping from their seat onto court, to make protest.
After being removed by police play resumed and Medvedev won a thriller of tiebreak to take a two set lead.
But Nadal was not to be denied, the 35-year-old veteran dug deep got to 3-3 in third and then broke his opponent again to begin the comeback.
Medvedev was still there, but was visibly upset by the partisan crowd, cheering for Nadal. The Russian had a quick medical check from his physio before forcing the set to 3-2.
Nadal then saved two break points as in Medvedev hung on as the Spaniard took set there to force an amazing decider.
![](https://sj8cdb.n3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/AO22-D14-DANIIL-MEDVEDEV-1425-1024x797.jpg)
Medvedev started the quicker but it was sNadal who led 3-2 with a brilliant forehand shot.
At 4-2 Nadal edged closer to victory but Medvedev somehow took it to 5-5, before, after an amazing five hours and 24 minutes, with clock way past midnight, Nadal served to win his 21st crown.