Rafael Nadal will have a shot at history on Sunday (January 30) in the men's singles final of the Australian Open after he outclassed seventh seed Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the semi-final. A win on Sunday will see Nadal go past Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic for most Grand Slam (21) in the men's department. He will face Daniil Medvedev in the final showdown on Sunday.
Nadal up to the challenge
Nadal started on the front foot and took advantage of the early break in the first set. He pocketed the first set without losing his serve and it was the same pattern in the second set as he kept his serve by winning 64 per cent first serves. The Italian, who finished runners-up at the Wimbledon last year needed to bring his 'A-game' to stay in the match.
Berrettini made a storming comeback with the wind in his sail by keeping his serve and breaking Nadal twice as he won the third set 6-3. But that joy didn't last long as the Spaniard came back roaring and broke the Italian in the decisive eighth game of the fourth set. Leading 5-3 by that time, Nadal served for the match and made sure he books his ticket in the grand finale at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
Stroke of fortune
As per the draw, Nadal was scheduled to face Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the Australian Open, but the no.1 seed was deported because he was not vaccinated against Covid-19 and was not allowed to participate in the tournament. Nadal, on the other hand, knew this could be his best shot to reclaim the glory after 13 years as he was the only former champion in the men's draw at Melbourne Park this year.
Can the 13-year drought end?
Despite being a dominant performer on the ATP tours and in majors, Nadal has won only one Australian Open title. An epic win against old foe Federer in 2009, when the latter was seen in tears after losing the final, remains the Spaniard's only triumph at the Melbourne Park. He did make it to the final on four occasions after that but ended as second-best on each occasion. Sunday's final will be his sixth final at the Australian Open.
In the post-match interview
“For me it’s all about the Australian Open more than anything else,” Nadal told Channel Nine in the on-court interview.
“It’s just an amazing event. As I said a couple of days ago now, I have been a little bit unlucky in my career with some injuries. I played good finals against Novak in 2012 and Roger in 2017. I was lucky to win once in 2009.
“But I never thought about another chance in 2022,” the 35-year-old concluded.
Mixed doubles
On the other hand, Australian pair of Jaimee Fourlis and Jason Kubler lost in the final of the mixed doubles against European pair of Kristina Mladenovic and Ivan Dodig. The Aussie duo lost the final match by 3-6, 4-6.
