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Rafa Nadal Daniil Medvedev Australian Open final 2022
ATP Tennis Players, Daniil Medvedev, Rafa Nadal, Tennis News, Tennis Tournaments

‘I feel a little lucky’ – Rafael Nadal beats Daniil Medvedev again to reach third successive final


Rafael Nadal has kept his 100% winning start to the year in tact after beating Daniil Medvedev at the Mexican Open to reach a third successive final.

In a replay of the historic Australian Open final, 21-time Grand Slam champion Nadal once again overcame Daniil Medvedev at the Mexican Open.

Nadal battled from two sets behind Down Under to claim a record-breaking 21st Major title, but beat Medvedev in Acapulco in more convincing fashion in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.

He will face Cameron Norrie in the final after the Brit downed World number four Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Spanish great Nadal is currently enjoying his finest ever start to a season, going 14-0 for the new year. Norrie has also won his last eight games since losing at the Rotterdam Open, meaning he is 10-5 for the season. As such, Norrie also won the Delray Beach Open.

Medvedev and Nadal have faced each other a total of six times but the Spaniard dominates the head-to-head record, having beaten the Russian five times to Medvedev’s singular win.

Regardless of his semi-final defeat, Medvedev became the new World number one this week when 20-time Grand Slam champion lost in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships to Czechian qualifier Jiri Vesely.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Nadal said “I played some amazing points on those break points.

“Daniil was playing really aggressively in the second set, with drop shots and winners.

“It was very difficult, I feel a little lucky to have won that set since he had so many chances. It’s amazing to win against the number one player in the world and it’s great to be in the final.”

Nadal has also been impressed with Norrie’s upturn in form, saying “Norrie has improved a lot this year. We’re in the final of the 500 tournament in Acapulco, so you can’t expect an easy opponent. It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m excited for it.”

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.