Australian Open Final | Novak Djokovic Takes on Rafael Nadal
Live updates from the Australian Open Final between Noval Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in Melbourne.
- Novak Djokovic plays Rafael Nadal for the Australian Open title on Sunday in Melbourne.
- World no 1 Djokovic beat Lucas Pouille 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 in the semi-final match that lasted less than 1½ hours.
- Spain’s Rafael Nadal defeated 20-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 in the semi-finals.
- Djokovic holds a 27-25 head-to-head edge over Nadal but the Spaniard leads 4-3 in Grand Slam finals.
1st SET: Djokovic vs Nadal (3-0)
Everything going in favour of Djokovic as he quickly finishes his service game to get a hold to love. Nadal needs to get his rhythm back and fast.
1st SET: Djokovic vs Nadal (2-0)
Djokovic breaks early. Djokovic’s threatening forehand forces Nadal to stretch and retrieve it. The Serb finds a powerful backhand winner for the Serb. A forehand winner Nadal takes the Spaniard to 15-30 but two unforced error from gives Djokovic the break.
1st SET: Djokovic vs Nadal (1-0)
Djokovic begins with a big serve. He reaches to 40-0 with an ace. Nadal nets his forehand in a nine-shot rally as Djokovic takes the first game.
Novak Djokovic - Road to Final
First round: Defeated Mitchell Krueger 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
Second round: Defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-5, 6-4
Third round: Defeated Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0
Fourth round: Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-7 6-2 6-2
Quarter-finals: Defeated Kei Nishikori (Retired Hurt)
Semi-finals: Defeated Lucas Pouille 6-0 6-2 6-2
Rafael Nadal - Road to Final
First round: Defeated James Duckworth 6-4 6-3 7-5
Second round: Defeated Matthew Ebden 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
Third round: Defeated Alex de Minaur 6-1 6-2 6-4
Fourth round: Defeated Tomas Berdych 6-0 6-1 7-6 (7-4)
Quarter-finals: Defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
Semi-finals: Defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 6-4 6-0
Nadal - Can't Wait For the Final to Start!
Djokovic Aiming For Record 7th Title
Djokovic vs Nadal - Head to Head
Djokovic-Nadal Rivalry
World no 1 Novak Djokovic will line up against his old rival, Rafael Nadal, for the 53rd time on tour, eighth in a Grand Slam final.
It will be the No. 1-ranked Djokovic — owner of 14 Grand Slam titles, including the past two — against No. 2 Nadal, who's won 17 majors. Roger Federer, with 20, is the only man whose total is higher.
"I would definitely want to buy a ticket," Djokovic told the crowd.
He holds a 27-25 edge over Nadal in their head-to-head series but Nadal leads 4-3 in Slam finals. The only other time they met with the Australian Open trophy on the line, in 2012, Djokovic won 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 in 5 hours, 53 minutes, making it the longest Grand Slam title match in history.
"Once-in-a-lifetime experience," Djokovic called that one, "and hopefully the outcome can be the same for me."
Given how well both men are playing at the moment, this showdown shapes up as another potential classic.
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