09 September 2019

Nadal wins an epic US Open final for 19th Grand Slam title

Rafael Nadal won his 19th Grand Slam title after beating Russian Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling US Open final.

The 33-year-old won 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 in the first US Open final to last five sets since 2012, and withstood a comeback for the ages by the 23-year-old fifth seed.

The Spaniard was up two sets and a break but Medvedev took the match to four hours and 50 minutes, which was just four minutes shy of the record of the longest US Open men’s final.

Nadal’s fourth win in New York means he moves to within one of Roger Federer’s all-time Grand Slam record for titles, and this margin is the closest it has been since the 2004 Australian Open.

An outrageous around the net forehand winner from Nadal on the second point of the match signalled the world number two’s intent but Medvedev broke in the opening game after an uncharacteristic forehand error from the Spaniard.

But this was when Nadal upped the ante and looked to extend the rallies against the Russian and make his opponent feel weary. When he broke for a 3-2 lead in the third set, there looked to be no way back for Medvedev.

However Medvedev, who was booed earlier in the tournament after his match against Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, summoned all the strength and will that brought him to his first major final to pull of an almighty comeback.

In a match full of twists, Nadal once again showed his mental fortitude on the biggest stage to withhold another comeback from his opponent in the final set and ultimately win only the fifth hard court major of his career.

A return forehand which went long from Medvedev saw Nadal collapse onto his knees in the realisation he is now within touching distance of equalling his great rival Federer’s all time Grand Slam record.

It caps off a wonderful Grand Slam year for Nadal, in which he also won the French Open for a record 12th time, and reached another final in Australia.

The best videos delivered daily

Watch the stories that matter, right from your inbox