Rafael Nadal won his 19th Grand Slam title after holding off Russian
Daniil Medvedev’s exhilarating fightback in one of the greatest US
Open finals.
Spain’s Nadal, 33, won 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 against the fifth seed in New York.
Nadal, seeded second, was cruising at two sets and a break up, only
for Medvedev to force a decider.
But Nadal stopped his momentum to clinch a thrilling win in four hours
and 50 minutes – just four minutes shorter than the longest US Open
final.
Nadal’s victory moves him within one of Swiss rival Roger Federer’s
all-time leading tally of Grand Slam victories.
“It has been one of the most emotional nights in my tennis career,”
Nadal said. “It has been an amazing final. It has been a crazy match.”
After taking his third match point, Nadal collapsed to the court in
celebration, covering his face as contemplated another famous victory
which epitomised all of his fighting spirit.
Medvedev, 23, trudged around the net to warmly congratulate his
opponent, who looked on the verge of tears as he hid behind his
sweat-soaked vest while taking rapturous acclaim.
“I just want to congratulate Rafa, a 19th Grand Slam title is
something unbelievable, outrageous,” said Medvedev, who looked
mesmerised as he watched a video montage of Nadal’s achievements.
Those lucky enough to be watching among a near 24,000 capacity crowd
were regularly left open-mouthed at what they witnessed, with the
majority jumping to their feet and celebrating wildly after every
point, helping create an electric atmosphere on a noisy Arthur Ashe
Stadium.
Medvedev had been booed by the crowd earlier in the tournament, yet
heard his name loudly chanted by many as he threatened to complete an
extraordinary comeback.
Ultimately it was too late as he was unable to become the first man
outside Nadal, Federer and Serbia’s world number one Novak Djokovic to
claim one of the sport’s biggest prizes since Stan Wawrinka’s victory
here in 2016.
Nadal, Federer and Djokovic have won the past 12 Grand Slams after the
Spaniard lifted the trophy in New York for a fourth time.
Now Nadal has the chance to draw level with 38-year-old Federer, who
was nine titles better off than his long-time rival in 2007, at the
Australian Open in January.
