Australian Open 2019: Men’s singles final Nadal v Djokovic live action on Day 14
A near flawless Novak Djokovic blew a rattled Rafael Nadal away in straight sets to win his historic seventh Australian Open.
Welcome to our live coverage of the final day of the 2019 Australian Open. The men’s singles final couldn’t get much bigger than this: the World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and World No. 2 Rafael Nadal head to head in their 53rd meeting.
Debbie Schipp 10.15pm: Ruthless, relentless demolition
It was ruthless, relentless, and utterly riveting to watch.
Novak Djokovic’s historic ascent into Australian Open men’s singles historic seventh heaven, and his 15th career grand slam, was utterly breathtaking.
Djokovic, 31, is the first man to win the Australian title seven times.
He left Rafael Nadal — the world No. 2 who had been in devastating form himself — flat-footed and flummoxed in the most lopsided of their 53 career clashes.
Djokovic dominated from the outset, and left Nadal scrambling for answers.
In the end, he simply had none.
What answer can you have when the guy at the other end slams out 34 winners and just nine unforced errors?
What weaknesses can you exploit when there aren’t any?
Nadal called it like it was: “Tonight wasn’t my best day. I have someone who played much better than me.”
Djokovic major trophy total of 15, leaves him behind only Roger Federer’s 20 and Nadal’s 17.
When they met in the 2012 Australian Open final, Djokovic needed 5 hours, 53 minutes to win. This time, it took little more than two hours.
In his victory speech, an emotional Djokovic said “to be standing now here in front of you today and managing to win this title and three out of four Slams this is a truly amazing. I’m speechless.”
Tonight, as we marvelled at man at the peak of his powers delivering a tennis masterclass, Novak wasn’t the only one left speechless.
Debbie Schipp 9.50pm: Djokovic wins it
Novak Djokovic has broken Rafael Nadal in the final game of the match to seize a historic seventh Australian Open men’s singles title.
Djokovic turned in an almost flawless performance to blow the world No. 2 off the court, relentless at every turn, and win in straight sets 6-2 6-2 6-3.
Debbie Schipp 9.45pm: Novak one game off history
With Rafael Nadal on serve, Novak Djokovic leads the third set 5-3 and is just one game off a historic seventh Australian Open men’s singles title.
Debbie Schipp 9.35pm: Chance slides into net
Rafa’s chance at his first break of the night — and the chance to get the third set back on serve — is whiffed out when his return slides into the net.
It followed Rafa’s best service game of the match.
But it’s all academic from here. Djokovic’s march is just relentless.
Rafa is on serve but trails 4-2.
Seven unforced errors for the match for Djokovic. And 30 winners. That’s what world No. 1 looks like, folks.
Debbie Schipp 9.23pm: Break, hold: Novak tightens screws
Rafael Nadal is valiantly trying to stay with him, but the world No. 1 is tightening the screws. Djokovic broke Rafa early in the third set to lead 2-1.
He took a double break point that saw Nadal fight his guts out — just to save one.
But the effort was too much, and the Serb cooly claimed the next point and the break.
Djokovic has held serve to consolidate the lead to 3-1.
Commentator Todd Woodbridge says the commentary bunker is stunned by Djokovic’s display.
“We’re shocked really at what is happening out here tonight because Rafael Nadal came into this match in incredible form and I don’t think that form has dissipated.
“It’s just what Novak Djokovic has brought here to this final.”
Debbie Schipp 9.02pm: Two sets to Djokovic
Novak Djokovic has taken the second set 6-2 in what Jim Courier has described as simply a “supreme performance”.
“What an outrageous run that Djokovic is on right now,” said Courier as Djokovic served for the set.
“Five unforced errors over three sets in the semi-finals and nearly two sets to the good with four unforced errors against one of the all-time greats (Nadal).
“This so far is a supreme performance from Novak. This will be in the top drawer if he keeps this up when his career is all said and done this will be among his best ever.”
He leads two sets to love — 6-3 6-2.
Rafa has never lost a Grand Slam final in straight sets.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2019
Will @DjokerNole change that?#AusOpen #AusOpenFinal pic.twitter.com/OMIzxCsQXh
Debbie Schipp 8.58pm: Double break for Djokovic
Djokovic has broken Rafael Nadal again and will now serve for the second set.
Debbie Schipp 8.54pm: Djokovic up 4-2
Massive hold of service for Djokovic.
Nadal fought hard to get the break back, and held Djokovic to deuce twice, but the Serbian can almost taste this win.
He’s held Rafa off to lead the second set 4-2. Rafa is now on serve.
Novak has had 17 winners and 4 unforced errors. Nadal has 14 winners and 20 unforced errors. It tells the story of the match.
Debbie Schipp 8.44pm: Another break for Novak
Novak Djokovic appears to have taken a stranglehold on a record seventh Australian Open men’s singles title, breaking Rafael Nadal in the vital second set.
The World No. 1 has so far been near flawless in his clinical demolition of Nadal.
Rafa is struggling across the board. He’s hurrying shots, missing shots, and has found no rhythm.
Djokovic continues to force him ever further behind the baselines, and took his vital break midway through the second set.
Another unforced error from Nadal offered a double break point to Djokovic, and he makes no mistake in taking it to lead 3-2.
Debbie Schipp 8.37pm: ’He’s just bullying Nadal’
Novak Djokovic remains as merciless on serve, but Rafael Nadal seems to have settled slightly, with the second set going on serve so far.
But make no mistake, Djokovic still has his opponent firmly on the back foot.
“He’s just bullying Nadal,” says Jim Courier.
“Nadal is not getting to set up and put his body weight forward on many shots at all, even when he is serving. The return of serve is so deep as well.
“This (Nadal) is a guy who is used to being in charge out there. Right now he’s being bossed around.”
Both players are still holding. It’s 2-1 to Nadal, with Djokovic next to serve.
Debbie Schipp 8.24pm: First set to Djokovic
Rafael Nadal started to find his groove on his last service game to make it 5-3, but it was too late to save the set.
With Djokovic serving for the set, another breakthrough — Rafa takes the first point this match from the Serb on serve.
It’s the only one he’ll get though: Djokovic is still the man in charge.
He goes two set points up, and needs only one to take the first set 6-3 in just 36 minutes.
Debbie Schipp 8.13pm: Novak near flawless
Novak Djokovic hasn’t yet lost a point on serve this set.
He is in complete control.
He’s hit nine winners and made one unforced error.
How the heck do you contend with that?
Rafael Nadal isn’t, and hasn’t: he’s just made an clean swing and miss on his forehand as Djokovic holds him again to love to make it 5-2.
Debbie Schipp 8.05pm: ‘He’s just all over him’
Rafa looks rattled.
“He’s (Novak) just all over him,” says a puzzled Jim Courier.
He rips a wide forehand winner down the line, but suddenly Djokovic is in there again, with another break point. Nadal looks in disbelief up at his player box.
He manages two solid serves to stave off the break point, and take the advantage, and finally get himself on the scoreboard, trailing 3-1.
The crowd roars. It seems the majority are team Rafa.
Then Djokovic holds serve to lead 4-1.
There's only one player in the world who can hit this shot, and you just saw it. ðŸ‘
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 27, 2019
WATCH LIVE: @Channel9
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Debbie Schipp 7.54pm: Nadal broken early
Nadal looks unsteady — his trademark opener aggression replaced by a touch of uncertainty, and sluggishness and it’s showing in his unforced errors.
“He looks nervous out here right from the get-go,” says Lleyton Hewitt.
“But Novak actually going hard in to Rafa’s forehand early on as well, which is opening him up. He is not being able to stand up on the baseline and dictate play.”
Djokovic snatches two break points and Rafa loses it with another unforced error.
He’s broken early and is on notice: there’s not going to be any cheap, easy points tonight.
Djokovic holds to race to 3-0 up, with Nadal now to serve.
Debbie Schipp 7.48pm: Djokovic holds
Novak Djokovic takes the first game to hold his serve.
It’s a mixed bag — a single fault, an ace, a net ball, but a strong opener as he holds Nadal to love to lead 1-0.
Debbie Schipp 7.40pm: Djokovic to open
The pair are completing their five-minute warm-up. Djokovic has won the toss and will serve first.
Meanwhile, Rafa seems to be jumping out of his skin:
It's go time 👊@RafaelNadal #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/isEFhl6ueH
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2019
Debbie Schipp 7.37pm: Champs on court
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have arrived on Rod Laver Arena are on court and minutes form starting their final.
“The 2012 final here is seared into our brains”, says Jim Courier of the last time Djokovic and Nadal pair met in an Australian Open final.
That one went to Djokovic — after almost six hours.
“It was an incredible level of tennis and an incredible level of tennis and an incredible level of physicality and these athletes come in primed and well rested, everything set up for a great night of tennis.”
Debbie Schipp 7.18pm: Rafa a different player
There have been no five-set matches so far this tournament, but commentator Jelena Dokic is hoping for one tonight.
Dokic says this year’s open has seen a new Rafael Nadal.
“Nadal has been so impressive this tournament. He had three months off and had foot surgery,” she says.
“To come into this Grand Slam and play this way, and he has been ripping winners from
everywhere on the court. His backhand has been incredible. He has been extremely aggressive. It is a new Rafa we have been seeing. It is hard to pick tonight but I’m certainly hoping for a five setter.”
"That gives me enough reason that I can do it again."
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2019
Six-time champion @DjokerNole is looking to become the first man in history to win 7ï¸âƒ£ #AusOpen titles. pic.twitter.com/7WEyR6dKH7
Debbie Schipp 6.45pm: Major talents, serious records
The World No. 1 and No. 2 have devastating records at the majors: here’s how Djokovic and Nadal line up:
Novak is the king of Melbourne so far... Can Rafa claim the throne?
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 27, 2019
WATCH LIVE: @Channel9
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6.15pm: A final for the ages
It’s just over an hour until opening lines of another entry in one of the most riveting rivalries in Open-era tennis are written, when Novak Djokovic meets Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final.
World No. 1 Djokovic is looking for his third grand slam title in a row on Sunday night, one that would take him close to holding every major tournament’s trophy at the same time.
But in Nadal, he faces his toughest opponent.
The pair share an incredible on-court history, 52 clashes across 13 years, with Djokovic leading their all-time head-to-head 27-25.
Their last meeting was a semi-final at Wimbledon last year, won 10-8 by Djokovic in the fifth set — a stunning testament to their hyper-competitiveness.
And the last time they faced off in Melbourne, the Serb outlasted Nadal in the 2012 final over five glorious sets that lasted five hours and 53 minutes.
Given the pair have been in dominant form this fortnight — Nadal hasn’t dropped a set and Djokovic has lost just two — both are anticipating another match for the ages.
“He’s my biggest rival in my career. I’ve played so many matches against him, epic matches on this court,” Djokovic said.
“Of course, the one that stands out was the finals of six hours almost in 2012. Hopefully we don’t go that long this time. But I’m sure we’re going to have a good final.
“We can promise one thing, and that’s knowing both of us that we’re going to give absolutely everything out on the court.
“I think people will enjoy it.” Djokovic is widely seen as the greatest returner of all time, compensating for his lack of weaponry with the game’s best counter-punching.
Nadal is the tour’s king of aggressive play, ramping up his attack this tournament with a new kick-serve.
Both raced through their semi-final matches at lightning pace. “I see a difficult one as always against a player like Novak, especially when he is playing well,” Nadal said.
“Will be a tough one. I need to be 100 per cent ready for the action.
“At the same time it is a motivation for me to play against a player like him, in this very important place against the No. 1 of the world, when he’s playing so well, too.
“I am excited about that match.” — AAP
5.15pm: Aussie Peers, Kontinen lose doubles
John Peers has been unable to join Samantha Stosur this year as a homegrown winner of an Australian Open doubles title.
Peers and his Finnish partner Henrik Kontinen went down in Sunday’s men’s final against French duo Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut 6-4 7-6 (7-1). Stosur and China’s Zhang Shuai teamed up to win the women’s doubles on Friday afternoon.
There was only one break of serve in the match, with Kontinen broken to hand the French duo a 5-4 lead in the first set. Herbert then held to put them up a set. The match went with serve in the second set but the French team dominated the tiebreak, establishing a mini-break off Peers’ serve for a 3-0 lead. They were never headed.
The win completed a doubles grand slam for Herbert and 37-year-old Mahut, joining an elite group of four pairs in the open era who have achieved the feat.
Peers was gunning to become the first Australian since Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge combined to together to claim multiple Australian Open men’s doubles titles.
Peers and Kontinen had won the Australian Open double in 2017.
Peers is also a member of the Australian Davis Cup squad for next month’s tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Adelaide. — AAP
5pm: Osaka eyes ‘Naomi Slam’
Naomi Osaka is eyeing one of the rarest feats in tennis after ushering in an exciting new era with her enthralling Australian Open final triumph over Petra Kvitova on Saturday night.
At 21, the Japanese prodigy will become the youngest world No. 1 in nine years when the new rankings are released tomorrow.
But that’s just the start: the aim is to dominate the game for years to come.
“The way the tennis world is, there’s always the next tournament, the next slam, and we all just want to keep training hard and winning more,” Osaka said as she basked in the glory of her drama-charged 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 6-4 victory over Kvitova at Rod Laver Arena.
“So, I’m not really sure if I’m satisfied.”
Having won the US Open in September, Osaka is the first woman to land successive majors since Serena Williams completed the same double in 2014-15.
Williams went on to complete her second “Serena Slam” with success at the French Open and Wimbledon and now Osaka has the chance to emulate the feat. “I’m not going to lie and say that thought hasn’t crossed my mind,” Osaka said. “But I don’t know.
“For me, I just have to take it one tournament at a time, especially Indian Wells is coming up and I won that tournament last year.
“I feel like I have to think about that.”
In almost a century of trying, only Williams (2003 and 2015), Steffi Graf (1988), Martina Navratilova (1985), Margaret Court (1970) and Maureen Connolly (1953) have held all four grand slam singles trophies simultaneously.
But as the first woman since Jennifer Capriati in 2001 to back up her maiden grand slam title with her second in the very next major, Osaka is no flash in the pan.
Ranked world No. 72 this time last year, she’ll be No. 1 come tomorrow. — AAP
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