World no.2 Daniil Medvedev and no.6 seed Rafael Nadal are currently playing in the final of the Australian Open 2022. Many were expecting this match to go the full distance. Expectations are really high for this match, as Rafael Nadal is going for his 21st Grand Slam title.
However, the Russian won’t let Nadal reach that milestone easily. Previously, Medvedev stopped Novak Djokovic from winning his 21st title at last year’s US Open. The match already started with some unbelievable shots and rallies with both players are not giving an inch to one another.
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Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 28, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action during his semi final match against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini REUTERS/Loren Elliott
WATCH THIS STORY: Rafael Nadal, Ashleigh Barty, And Other Tennis Stars React to Novak Djokovic Australian Open Controversy
Rafael Nadal plays an unbelievable shot
During the first set, in the third game, Rafael Nadal played an unbelievable shot against the Russian, Daniil Medvedev. After a long exchange, Daniil had an open court to hit a wide shot. However, the Russian tried to outsmart Rafa by going down the line, but Rafa just threw his racket at the ball to hit an unbelievable winner.
#AusOpen ¡De que planeta viniste Rafa! 🤯 💥
🎥: Gif by @tennis_gifs pic.twitter.com/naFaMP4npo
— Respiro Tenis (@Respiro_Tenis) January 30, 2022
Nothing gets past @RafaelNadal 🙅♂️
🎥: @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis @Kia_Worldwide • #Kia • #MovementThatInspires • #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/CA0JmgQGx9
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2022
Medvedev has an edge over Nadal
It hasn’t been half an hour, yet Rafa is sweating really heavily. His sweat drops are all over the tennis court at the moment, as one ball boy had to wipe it off the court.
Mind. blown. 🤯 @RafaelNadal
🎥: @AustralianOpen | #AusOpen | #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/XmQ9RmnJ1V
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 30, 2022
Watch This Story: Daniil Medvedev slams low IQ audience for making noise
Meanwhile, Medvedev is already one set up against Rafa, as he won it by 6-2. Rafa’s game plan was not working well against the Russian, as Daniil was hitting everything back towards Nadal.
Previously, Nadal had a 3-1 head-head record against the Russian. Rafa won the first 3 meetings between them, including the US Open 2019 final, where the Spaniard beat the Russian in five sets. However, Daniil won their last meeting in the ATP finals in 2020. It’s safe to say Daniil’s game improved quite a bit since their 2019 US Open final.
Rafa is currently ahead in the second set by 4-3. Can Rafa make a comeback in this match and win his 21st Grand Slam title? let us know in the comments.
