MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Rafael Nadal has won a men’s record 21st Grand Slam singles title with a comeback, five-set victory over second-ranked Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final.
He had to do it the hard way after Medvedev won the first two sets in a final that started late Sunday local time and ended 5 hours and 24 minutes later in the early hours of Monday morning. It was the second longest Australian Open final after Novak Djokovic beat Nadal in five sets in 5 hours and 53 minutes in 2012.
The 35-year-old Spaniard now has one more Slam than Djokovic and Roger Federer, his long-time rivals in the so-called Big Three. Nadal also became just the fourth man in history to win all four of the sport’s major titles at least twice.
Barty and Djokovic keep No.1 ranking; Collins into top 10
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Newly crowned Australian Open women’s singles champion Ash Barty has maintained her more than two-year grip on the No. 1 ranking.
Runner-up Danielle Collins jumped up 20 places to be in the top 10 for the first time after an impressive run to her maiden Grand Slam final.
Italy’s Matteo Berrettini is the only mover inside the men’s top 10, climbing to a new career high of No. 6. Novak Djokovic will continue as No. 1, with Daniil Mevedev staying second.
