By Daily Sports on January 29, 2022
Rafael Nadal moved one win away from a record 21st Grand Slam men's title after a dominant start enabled him to beat Italy's Matteo Berrettini in the Australian Open semi-finals.
Seventh seed Berrettini eventually turned the match into a contest, but Nadal completed a 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 win.
The 35-year-old Spaniard is level on 20 major titles with long-time rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Nadal plays Daniil Medvedev, who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas, in Sunday's final.
"The first two sets were some of the best I've played for a long time," said Nadal, who won his only Melbourne title in 2009.
"Against a difficult opponent, a great opponent, one of the best of the world, I was able to play I think at a very high level for a long time.
"I had to suffer and I had to fight but it means a lot to be in the final again."
Nadal's achievement in reaching a 29th Grand Slam final comes only a few months after he thought a foot injury could end his illustrious career.
Russian second seed Medvedev edged a high-quality battle with Greek fourth seed Tsitsipas, winning 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-4 6-1 in Friday's second men's semi-final.
Medvedev, 25, is aiming for his second successive Grand Slam title after winning the maiden major of his career at the US Open in September.
He is also looking to go one step further in Melbourne after losing in last year's final to Djokovic, who did not play this year after being deported from Australia in a visa row related to him being unvaccinated.
Nadal's achievement in reaching a 29th Grand Slam final comes only a few months after he thought a foot injury could end his illustrious career.
Russian second seed Medvedev edged a high-quality battle with Greek fourth seed Tsitsipas, winning 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-4 6-1 in Friday's second men's semi-final.
Medvedev, 25, is aiming for his second successive Grand Slam title after winning the maiden major of his career at the US Open in September.
He is also looking to go one step further in Melbourne after losing in last year's final to Djokovic, who did not play this year after being deported from Australia in a visa row related to him being unvaccinated. (BBC)
•PHOTO: Medvedev
Source Daily Sports
Posted January 29, 2022
You may also like...
Mane Goes Into Isolation After Testing Positive To...
BREAKING NEWS: Man City are Premier League champions!...
World Cup playoff: Players’ selection, my biggest headache,...
Edo Queens thrash Ethiopian club in CAF WCL...
Why I left Luton for Rotherham – Onyedinma...
Afrobasket camping for women opens Monday
Zaha in Ivory Coast Afcon squad but Adingra left out
UCL: Mbappé doubtful for Manchester City clash after missing training
'Give Alonso time' - but Man City visit could be pivotal
Fifa accused of breaching own rules with Trump award
Son, Simons and mini Spurs revival lift Frank's spirits
Finidi challenges Rivers United players’ mentality
HFN boss condemns alleged abduction of Benue handball team
Akinwunmi hails Digivant Bank for Dare to Dream tourney
NPFL: Rangers dismantle Bayelsa, Mbaoma inspires Remo triumph
Bayelsa brace for 2026 international marathon
Chelsea’s Maresca says rotation unavoidable
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,397 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,641 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,583 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,217 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,190 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,101 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,945 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,531 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,671 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,223 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,615 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,085 views)