World No. 5 Rafael Nadal will be aiming to claim an unprecedented 21st Grand Slam title when he takes on Daniil Medvedev in the men’s singles final at the Australian Open on Sunday.
Sunday’s meeting will be just the fifth time these two have faced off, and it is Rafa who leads the head-to-head record 3-1 after the previous four.
All of their previous four matches have come on hard courts, and the only one to have taken place at a Grand Slam was the final of the 2019 US Open, which Rafa won in five sets having initially surrendered a two-set lead.
Date: January 30, 2022
Match time: 7.30 PM AEDT local time / 3.30 AM EST – New York, Montreal / 8.30 AM GMT – United Kingdom / 9.30 AM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa is bidding to win his 21st Grand Slam title and move ahead of Djokovic and Federer at the top of the all-time list for most Grand Slam men’s singles titles won.
Medvedev is bidding to win his 2nd Grand Slam title and, having won his first at the US Open last year, become the first man in the Open Era to win his 2nd Grand Slam title at the next Grand Slam event after his first major title.
Medvedev is bidding to defeat a Top 5 player at the Australian Open for the 2nd time, having recorded his first victory against a Top 5 player here by defeating No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semifinals. He had lost both of his previous matches against Top 5 players here – to No. 1 Djokovic in both the round of 16 in 2019 and the final last year. He has a 3-5 win-loss record against Top 5 opposition at the Grand Slams overall.
Medvedev has won 4 of his last 6 matches against Top 5 players – all of which have come on hard courts. His only defeats to Top 5 players in that time came against No. 1 Djokovic in the final at 2021 Paris-1000 and against No. 3 Alexander Zverev in the final at the 2021 ATP Finals. He has a 9-15 win-loss record against Top 5 opposition on hard courts and an 11-18 win-loss record against Top 5 opposition at Tour-level overall.
Rafa s bidding to defeat a Top 5 player at the Australian Open for the 4th time – and for the first time since he defeated No. 3 Milos Raonic in the quarterfinals in 2017. He has lost both of his matches against Top 5 players here since then – to No. 1 Djokovic in the final in 2019 and to No. 5 Thiem in the quarterfinals in 2020. He has a 3-5 win-loss record against Top 5 opposition at the Australian Open and a 30-14 win-loss record at the Grand Slams overall.
Rafa is bidding to end a 4-match losing streak against Top 5 players on hard courts. He has not recorded a victory against a Top 5 player on a hard court since defeating No. 4 Medvedev at the 2019 ATP Finals. He has a 27-43 win-loss record against Top 5 opposition on hard courts and an 88-61 win-loss record against Top 5 opposition at Tour-level overall.
Should Rafa win his 21st major title here, he will move ahead of Federer on the list for the first time in his career – Federer led the pair’s rivalry in terms of most Grand Slam titles won from winning his first Grand Slam title at 2003 Wimbledon until Rafa won his 20th Grand Slam title (equalling Federer) at 2020 Roland Garros.
Rafa will also regain the lead in terms of most Grand Slam titles won in his rivalry with Djokovic – Rafa led the pair’s rivalry from winning his first Grand Slam title at 2005 Roland Garros until Djokovic won his 20th Grand Slam title (equalling Rafa) at Wimbledon last year.
Rafa is bidding to win his 90th Tour-level title and become the 4th man in the Open Era to win 90 or more Tour-level titles, after Jimmy Connors, Federer and Ivan Lendl.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Source: itftennis.com
Good luck Rafa..Your fans are so glad to have you back. You can do this. Prayers are with you Vamos Rafa
I wish you the VERY best to win the match today. You are an excellent player. Good Luck!
Good Luck Rafa. It is wonderful to have you back. Your fans have missed you. You can do this and my prayers are with you. Vamos Rafa.
I’m going to be like a cat on hot bricks watching the final but you can do it Rafa. Stay strong, stay focused and remember you are the GOAT. The world is wanting you to do this Rafa. We love you. VAMOS RAFA.
Rafa is here at AO with an opportunity to win a Aussie Grand Slam that has eluded him since 2009 . I can only see him winning this match against Medvedev but will have to play his best from start to finish . Rafa will prevail . Best of Luck Rafa and please get a good start from the outset.
ASHLEIGH has made HISTORY in winning the Australian Open. CONGRATULATIONS Ashleigh.
What an amazing performance. Just as I was getting ready for 3rd set at 5-1 down in the second, she decided that enough was enough and came roaring back to win. There was no denying her this trophy. Well deserved!
Also well done to Kyrgios and Kokkinakis who won the men’s doubles.
So happy for Ash!🏆👏 ❤️
Good luck Rafa. Go for it, you can do it. The time has come for a second title in Australia. We are all with you.
Vamos Rafa❤️❤️❤️
I had a dream…Rafa, YOU WIN!!
Vamos♡
Te deseo lo mejor para mañana Rafa, ADELANTE!!!
Come on Rafa. This is your time to shine at aus open and go home with unprecedented 21st slam
I think I can, I think I can , I think I can! I THOUGHT I could,I thought I could, I thought I could,..,,,,!!
VAMOS RAFA
.IT IS WITHIN REACH. SERVE RIGHT AT HIM. VAMOS
Medvedev? Rafael Nadal has overcome personal challenges that supersede those from any opponent. Yet he remains Rafa. Each win has been “a present of life.” DM is talented, quirky, and
“Working on himself.” This will be epic❤️🔥
The world of sports want to see you win #21!!! But your fans do most of all. You got this, champ!! Vamos Rafa!!!
I’ll get to Rafa later. But how about Ash Barty??? This girl has been nothing short of phenomenal.
I’ll definitely be rooting for her in the ladies’ final. She kind of reminds me of Rafa in the way she’s so down to earth and grounded.
Good luck Ashley, bring that thing home finally!
Rafa,please please win this upcoming match!!!
You are so inspiring besides being a great athlete and continue to be so humble. Just a gem and a rare find!! Wishing you the best, your fans love you.
Vamos x 21! 🏆
Rafa good luck vamosssssss champ this is time to shine again vamosssssss you can do it 🔥💪🇺🇸🇺🇸🎾❤️👏💯🥰🏆