Australian Open 2022 Final: Rafael Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev

[mike danny]

The final we were all hoping to get. Rematch of their USO F from 2019.

There is something at stake for both of these guys: if Med wins he becomes the first player to win his first 2 slams back to back in the Open Era, while Nadal will finally win the DCGS.

Something's gotta give on Sunday, that's for sure. This is now or never for Nadal. He's not gonna get a better chance than this.

Who's your pick?

 

[Yugram]

The history about to be made. 2CGS and 21st Slam against the first ever Slam won B2B to the maiden one. It is written...

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Daniil needs to save tennis

 

[Backspin1183]

Nadal vs the best player on the planet, Daniil Medvedev.

 

[mike danny]

I posted first. This should be the main thread.

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

Nadal finally plays someone with a Backhand

 

[Yugram]

Nadal in 3.

 

[D.Nalby12]

Medvedev in four sets. He will gift one set with poor play as always. But honestly he is playing good enough to straight set the Bull.

 

[D.Nalby12]

This is our thread.

 

[Backspin1183]

Medvedev in four sets. He will gift one set with poor play. But honestly he is playing good enough to straight set the Bull.

The underestimation of Rafa is strong here lol

 

[mike danny]

Mods, I was first. Allow this to be the main thread.

 

[cloudluc]

Nadal in 3

 

[D.Nalby12]

The underestimation of Rafa is strong here lol

We will see.

 

[Backspin1183]

We will see.

I hope you'll be around after the final.

 

[D.Nalby12]

I hope you'll be around after the final.

I'm just too old and matured enough to run away after failed predictions.. I will be here regardless of outcome. I'm very confident that Med will win.

 

[RF-18]

I was pretty convinced before that Med will win this whole thing, and with that performance in SF, especially last two sets, I'm convinced more than ever.

 

[The Fedfather]

The underestimation of Rafa is strong here lol

You did say Medvedev is the best player in the world though.

 

[UnforcedTerror]

Meddy all the way in whatever it takes but he really needs to win one of the first two sets.

I really hope he doesn't start the match like 2019 USO, going two sets down would give Bull what he exactly needs.

 

[beast of mallorca]

Da fuq is this. 4 Rafa final threads ?

 

[Backspin1183]

You did say Medvedev is the best player in the world though.

His results say so. Can't deny that.

 

[Yugram]

Da fuq is this. 4 Rafa final threads ?

We shall see which one survives. I was first, though. Right after the Match Point.

 

[aldeayeah]

There is something at stake for both of these guys: if Med wins he becomes the first player to win his first 2 slams back to back in the Open Era, while Nadal will finally win the DCGS.

Med's playing for #1 too, although it won't be effective for a few weeks because of the 2021 AO date change.

 

[20 20 20]

Voted med on 4 but this ain't gonna be easy for either regardless of what some people may think, I feel this going to 5 sets

 

[D.Nalby12]

Nadal must go 2-0 up if he wants to win this. If he drops one out of two opening sets - his chances will be slim.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Daniil needs to save tennis

 

[mike danny]

Ok, I'm gonna go against my convictions and pick Med in 4. Surely he isn't gonna lose to 35.5 year old Nadal, right?

 

[ForehandCross]

LET'S GOOOOOOO MED!!!!

 

[InsideOut900]

He gave Nadal a USO and Djokovic an AO, time for Med to take that back.

 

[aldeayeah]

Nadal must go 2-0 up if he wants to win this. If he drops one out of two opening sets - his chances will be slim.

I could see him winning after going 1-1. It's a big final, no reason to leave anything in the tank. 0-2 means he's toast unless Med breaks a leg.

He gave Nadal a USO and Djokovic an AO, time for Med to take that back.

Med will truly be the great equalizer if he pulls it off!

 

[NeutralFan]

@Checkmate what's your prediction ?

 

[beast of mallorca]

Well, you will have to ask the Mods about it, to delete the others

 

[Kralingen]

Nadal will win #21 if he plays his best. Medvedev doesn’t really have an answer to his variety especially if Rafa is aggressive coming to net.

On the other hand Daniil can do just enough servebotting and long rallying to frustrate and tire out Nadal.

Rafa in 4. I feel like this is just destiny for him.

 

[ForehandCross]

One for @Yugram , let this be the main thread!!

MED FOR THE WIN IN 4 CMONNNNNN!!!!!

 

[phl92]

It's kind of unbelievable.. there is Djokovic out, and immediately comes in Nadal trying to reach the 21st title... Which other sport is so competitive between 3 people over such a time? I really can't believe it.

 

[I Am Finnish]

USO 2019
Nadal defeated Berrettini and Medvedev back 2 back

AO 2022
He will do it again

 

[Checkmate]

@Checkmate what's your prediction ?

Medvedev in 3. This final will be a total flop.

 

[aldeayeah]

Nadal will win #21 if he plays his best. Medvedev doesn’t really have an answer to his variety especially if Rafa is aggressive coming to net.

On the other hand Daniil can do just enough servebotting and long rallying to frustrate and tire out Nadal.

Rafa in 4. I feel like this is just destiny for him.

Hope you're right! Med's pedigree is undeniable with his 3 HC slam finals in a row. He'll be a tough cookie. Not expecting a mental collapse.

 

[NeutralFan]

Medvedev in 3

Now i can relax .

 

[Deleted member 762343]

Meddy in 4. It’s a good thing he didn’t have a long SF, can’t wait to see Nadal fans pi**ing themselves during the final.

 

[aldeayeah]

The contrast between one of the fastest servers and one of the slowest will be pretty extreme lol.

I think Med will try to use the USO 2021 strategy. Keep the points short. Feed no rhythm.

As for Rafa, he should go to the net a ton like he did in USO 2019, but that's a physically taxing strategy.

 

[Checkmate]

Now i can relax .

It's the legs, @NeutralFan . Nothing against Rafa. A 25 year old New King vs a 35-36 year old champion

 

[Yugram]

One for @Yugram , let this should be the main thread!!

MED FOR THE WIN IN 4 CMONNNNNN!!!!!

Who you think is the favourite?

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

I’d love to see meddy do it to save Novak here. He seems on a mission. He mentioned Djoko a few times. Meddy taking that new Djokovic role.

I think Rafa can win it though and might find a way. Meddy is the right one to take him on. He’s got edge, better BH and good movement.

It will be a cracker but can meddy save Djokovic? That being said I feel nadal may win in 5. Looking forward to it though

 

[SkySoushi]

He gave Nadal a USO and Djokovic an AO, time for Med to take that back.

It would make for a nice symmetry if he beats Nadal at this AO after beating Djokovic at the USO (denying both of them from their first #21 attempts too)

 

[NeutralFan]

It's the legs, @NeutralFan . Nothing against Rafa. A 25 year old New King vs a 35-36 year old champion

I expect the same outcome. Rafa can't hit through him and will get tired after two sets. I see 2019 like match.

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

Nadal has been pretty comfortable by taking the first 2 sets in all of his matches, with clear signs of dropping level 3rd set onwards. Key for him will be to win the first 2 sets. He has to expose Medvedev's deep return position.

Medvedev has to win one of the first 2 sets for sure, preferably the first. That'll put Nadal under immense pressure. Key for him will be to return as many of his serves as possible and making it a grindfest, tire out Nadal.

 

[stringertom]

Deja vu all over again USO’19, Berry vs Nad followed by Cad vs Nad:

Here’s a trio of deja vu all over again finals: fedr denied #21 by Joe Kovic at Wimby’19, Joe Kovic denied #21 at USO’21 and Nadal denied #21 at AO’22 by denier-in-chief Thin Man villain Medvedev.

Daniil in 4

 

[lrdrdy]

Med got better and better on his passing shots as the match went on, dont think Rafa can S&V his way through, if he throws in DFs like he has I dont see how Med doesnt get more breaks.

 

[Backspin1183]

Meddy in 4. It’s a good thing he didn’t have a long SF, can’t wait to see Nadal fans pi**ing themselves during the final.

I would like Rafa to win the first set so the pi**ing themselves part is done by another fanbase.

 

[Slice'n'dice]

Four threads eh? People are so eager.

My pick is tennis in 5 sets.