Daniil Medvedev admitted that he “should have done a few shots a bit differently” in the Australian Open final versus Rafael Nadal but noted that he is not taking anything away from the Spaniard. Medvedev, 26, suffered a heartbreaking and devastating loss to Nadal in this year’s Australian Open final.
Medvedev had a two-set lead and three consecutive break points at 3-2 in the third set. Down by two sets and facing three break points in the third set, Nadal refused to quit as he stunningly recovered to force a decider.
In the fifth set, Medvedev broke back Nadal when the Spaniard was serving for the final in the 10th game. But just after breaking back Nadal to tie the fifth set to five games apiece, Medvedev lost his serve once again as Nadal took a 6-5 lead and served out for the title in the following game.
Medvedev on losing a thriller Australian Open final to Nadal
“The match I lost against Rafa was kind of the same [as against Auger-Aliassime]. I was up two-sets-to love up, led 0/40 [in the third set]. [The] fifth set he went up and then I broke back for 5-5.
I gave myself another chance, but I should have done a few shots a bit differently, but all credit to Rafa. He played an unbelievable match. An amazing level, raising it throughout the match and not getting tired. Tough memories but the match was amazing and I will try to do better next time,” Medvedev recalled in an interview with the ATP Tour.
Four weeks later, Medvedev again lost to Nadal, this time in the Acapulco semifinal. Since then, they haven’t had any meetings. Now, both Medvedev and Nadal are set to compete at the ATP Finals. But since they weren’t drawn into the same group, the only way they could meet is in the semifinal or final. It remains to be seen if we will get a Medvedev and Nadal meeting in Turin.
