Emotional Nadal wins epic final
Rafael Nadal has broken down in tears after winning a titanic battle to secure a fourth US Open crown and 19th grand slam men’s singles title to edge to within one of Roger Federer’s all-time record tally.
Confirming himself as much more than the king of clay, Nadal resisted a fierce fightback from Daniil Medvedev to end the Russian’s breakout run with an epic 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 victory over the fifth seed in yesterday’s final in New York.
Only Federer, Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors, with five titles each, have reigned more times than Nadal in New York in the 51-year open era.
‘‘That’s so important for me. This victory means a lot, especially the way the match became so difficult, so tough,’’ Nadal said.
‘‘I was able to hold the nerves because the nerves were so high. It’s been a crazy match.
‘‘It’s difficult to speak. I don’t know, I’m just emotional. Sorry.’’
The great Spaniard’s fourhour and 49-minute victory extended the dominance of tennis’ big three of Nadal, Federer and Novak Djokovic to 12 straight slams.
But Nadal was forced to fight tooth and nail to prevent Medvedev from striking a massive blow for the sport’s next-gen stars.
Medvedev was striving to become the first man in his 20s to claim a singles slam since Andy Murray won his second Wimbledon title in 2016.
Riding a wave of confidence after four consecutive hardcourt finals over the American summer, 23-year-old Medvedev threatened to pull off a nigh-on impossible comeback win over the mighty Majorcan after taking the third and fourth sets.
Nadal had won more than 200 matches for just one defeat after establishing two-set leads during his glittering career.
The Muscovite, though, had Nadal on the ropes – and feuding with the chair umpire in frustration after receiving a series of time violations for exceeding the 25-second limit between points – early in the fifth set.
Even after dropping four successive games to trail 5-2 in the tense deciding set, Medvedev wasn’t done.
Rattled by another time sanction from American official Ali Nili, Nadal double-faulted on break point to offer Medvedev a lifeline.
Alas the world No 2 proved an immovable object against the irresistible force, finally prevailing on his third match point – when the Russian’s forehand return sailed over the baseline – to add another US Open trophy to go with his titles in 2010, 2013 and
2017.
‘‘It has been an amazing final,’’ Nadal said.
‘‘His summer is one of the best summers I ever saw in the sport since I was playing. Tonight everybody saw why he is the No 4 in the world; only 23 years old.
‘‘The way he was able to fight, change the rhythm of the match was amazing.’’
Nadal’s 19th major leaves the
33-year-old in a position to catch Federer at the Australian Open in January.
He’s never been closer to his Swiss rival.
– AAP