Daniil Medvedev claimed his first Major crown at last year’s US Open. The Russian became world no. 1 this season, but he was only able to stay on top for a short time. Medvedev began the 2022 season with three straight top-10 wins.
He reached the final of the Australian Open and moved closer to his second Major crown after carving out a 6-2, 7-6, 3-2, 40-0 lead against Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard refused to give up and staged one of his best comebacks in a 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 victory after five hours and 24 minutes!
Medvedev was unable to challenge for more notable titles in the remainder of the season, suffering eight straight top-10 losses and ending the year with three ATP Finals losses. Speaking about the Australian Open final, Medvedev admitted that he couldn’t chase notable titles after that heavy loss.
Furthermore, the Russian praised Nadal, who was playing better and better as the match progressed. Daniil needed time to process everything that happened and seems eager for more big results at Melbourne Park in January. Nadal did not play well in the first set of the final, struggling and losing 6-2.
The Spaniard was unable to serve for the second set and lost it in the tiebreaker to find himself miles out.
Daniil Medvedev lost an epic Australian Open final to Rafael Nadal.
Rafa faced those three break points in the sixth game of the third set, and it would have been over for him had he dropped any of those points.
In true champion fashion, Nadal survived and claimed a break in game nine to steal the set and improve his chances. Things got serious when Rafa broke twice in the fourth set and forced a decider, recovering and fighting like a lion.
The Spaniard opened up a 5-3 lead in the final set before the Russian made one last push and broke for 5-5. Nadal started again, taking another break in game 11 and sealing the deal with his serve to celebrate the first Australian Open crown in 13 years.
«The Australian Open final against Rafa is one of the matches I didn’t rewind because I felt he played too well. He was 40-0 in the sixth game of the third set and could have played better. The match didn’t escape me though. .me in that game.
Rafa was good that day, especially as the match progressed. He made two finals at the Australian Open and I can’t wait to get back there. Even so, the final against Rafa affected me, since I built two teams to love the advantage. It took a lot of work to digest.
I feel like I left it far behind a long time ago, but you never know; maybe it’s still in the background. The only thing I can do is work mentally and prepare better for the next Australian Open,» said Daniil Medvedev.
