| Match: Finished | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| N. Djokovic (SRB) (1) | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| R. Nadal (ESP) [2] | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Completed Sets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Set won by N. Djokovic | 6 - 3 | N. Djokovic leads 3 to 0 |
| Set won by N. Djokovic | 6 - 2 | N. Djokovic leads 2 to 0 |
| Set won by N. Djokovic | 6 - 3 | N. Djokovic leads 1 to 0 |
Novak Djokovic has won a seventh Australian Open, routing Rafael Nadal in a largely uncompetitive straight sets victory 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
» Click here for the full match report
Final score
Novak Djokovic 6 6 6
Rafael Nadal 3 2 3
The two undisputed best players of the 2019 Australian Open are set to clash in a final for the ages, and a rematch of one of the best grand slam finals in history, as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal go for gold on Rod Laver Arena. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
In 2012, the Australian Open saw Nadal and Djokovic play out a nearly six-hour epic, which Djokovic eventually won in five sets.
Despite the fact both of the styles on court are similar in that they are happy to slug away from the baseline and take opportunities when they arise, rather than creating them against the best in the world, it’s widely regarded as one of the best grand slam finals in history.
At this year’s season-opening grand slam, neither player have really been challenged. Nadal has breezed through without dropping a set to date, his forehand being a particularly strong weapon.
Djokovic, on the other hand, lost a couple of sets and spent some extra time on court during the first four rounds, which, at one pont, looked like it was going to leave him in trouble, health-wise.
Instead, he has bounced back to beat Kei Nishikori who retired after an hour, then he smoked Lucas Pouille 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 in one of the most one-sided grand slam semi-finals in recent memory.
It means both players should enter this final in tip-top conditions, both mentally and physically, and they will need to be.
Both players have incredible defence around the back of the court and hit the ball with amazing depth, while also having the weapons which have propelled them to the top of the world for prolonged periods.
Nadal must use his forehand with perfection, painting the sidelines at every opportunity if he is to pick up the win, while Djokovic needs to keep the ball away from Nadal’s forehand and be prepared to change things up if neccessary with drop shots and net rushes.
The other key determining factor tonight could be first serve percentage, given both players will be all over anything and everything served slowly on the second.
In their 52 meetings on the ATP circuit, it’s a close-run battle. Djokovic has 27 victories to Nadal’s 25, which includes a dramatic five-set victory at Wimbledon last year in the semifinals during what could have been the match of the calendar year.
Prediction
This is going to be a really intriguing final. Tough to split, but Djokovic’s extra defensive edge around the back of the court should give him the court in the clutch, especially if he can handle the Nadal serve and keep the ball away from his lefty forehand.
Don’t be surprised if this is another final which goes well into the early hours of the morning.
Djokovic in five sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Australian Open men’s singles final from 7:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Start time: 7:30pm (AEDT)
Venue: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
TV: Live, Channel 9
Online: Live, 9Now
Betting: Djokovic $1.70, Nadal $2.15
Overall record: Played 52, Djokovic 27, Nadal 25
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
You didn't just state your opinion though, you tried to generalise and indicate that people should agree with you. And personally, I don't agree with you. I think your initial comment was preposterous, as do the overwhelming number of tennis fans.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, we might leave it there. Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar tonight, and over the last fortnight for all of our Australian Open coverage. It's been a blast, even if a busy couple of weeks. Hopefully you have enjoyed all of it. I'd also like to thank David Holden, Stuart Thomas and Tim Miller - the rest of our blogging team - for doing an outstanding job throughout the last fortnight and ensuring we could provide high-quality coverage of so many matches. We will be back in the next fortnight with Davis and Fed Cup, as Australia take on Bosnia and the USA respectively. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic. "Good Evening everybody. I would like to retain the favour and return compliments to Rafa's couple of weeks. You know, not your night tonight, but you came back from a major injury which took you out from he tour, and you're showing to me and everyone else the definition of fighting spirit and resiliance. "As with Rafa, I have been through surgery and injury. I went through surgery exactly 12 months ago, so be standing today here with this title and three out of four titles is amazing. I'm speechless. "I'd like to thank my team for supporting me. It's an individual sport, but you guys are always behind me, tolerating me on my bad days, and putting together a successful formula which is working really well. "As Rafa said, I'd have to agree, this is the best tournament in the world. You guys are doing an amazing job and make us players feel at home. It's summer time and there is a great vibe about tennis. I can feel it, and people respect tennis players, so it's a huge honour for us.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal. "Well, ah, good evening everybody. First thing to say is congratulations to Novak and his team. Amazing level of tennis tonight, so well done for everything. "I want to continue by saying thankyou very much to all the people who made this happen. The sponsors, the officals, the volunteers. "Thanks to Tennis Australia as well. No one tournament in the world that is improving every single year like this one. Thanks for making this tournament probably the best in the world. Being honest, thanks for promoting our sport. "This has been a very emotional two weeks. Even though tonight wasn't my night, it's been an important two weeks. I've been through some tough times with nine retirements including this one and I haven't played a professional match since the US Open until now, so even if tonight wasn't my night, I believe I played a great two weeks of tennis and it'll be a great energy and inspiration for myself for what's coming. "Thanks for my team as well. Without them, for all the things that have happened to me, I wouldn't have the chance to be here. "I'm going to keep fighting hard, keep working hard to be a better player, keep fighting for every moment. It's been tough for me in terms of injuries, or, tonight, opponents, but I'm going to keep practising and fighting."
the_bear
Roar Rookie
Novak was the dictionary definition of ‘laser focus’ tonight. Incredible management of the ball and of Nadal
Scott Pryde
Expert
Just getting through the formalities. We will hear from the players in a moment.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Just waiting for the presentation here. Thoughts Roarers?
Aw
Guest
Commentators so far up djokovic's backside it aint funny. Hopefully nadal can turn it around in the french open. Anyone but Djokovic for me definently from now on!!!
Scott Pryde
Expert
This is also the first time Nadal has lost a grand slam final in straight sets. I don't think it's over the top to say that may be one of the greatest performances in the history of grand slam tennis from Djokovic. Nadal, maybe wasn't on his game, but he only played as well as Djokovic allowed him.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Novak Djokovic has won three grand slams on the trot then after winning both Wimbledon and the US Open last year. He has a chance to hold all four at the same time if he can win at Roland Garros, which is of course, where the man he beat tonight has made his name.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, CHAMPIONSHIP NOVAK DJOKOVIC Fault from Nadal. Djokovic returns well, then hits with depth before Nadal is pushed around on the baseline and he does put one long. That was absolutely dominant. In just over two hours, Novak Djokovic has won a seventh Australian Open title and 15th grand slam final. Djokovic… 6 6 6 Nadal……. 3 2 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal is going to fight to the bitter end then. Good defence of the Djokovic depth, then the Serbian does hit one long here. Djokovic… 6 6 5 - 40 Nadal……. 3 2 3 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Two championship points for Djokovic! What a winner that was on the forehand up the line. Djokovic… 6 6 5 - 40 Nadal……. 3 2 3 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic with a huge shot to the Nadal backhand here and now he is just two points away against serve. Djokovic… 6 6 5 - 30 Nadal……. 3 2 3 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Huge hitting from Djokovic, then he gets up inside the baseline and puts the inside out forehand away. Djokovic… 6 6 5 - 15 Nadal……. 3 2 3 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal serving to stay in the match after just two hours of play. He goes up the T and it's returned long by Djokovic. Djokovic… 6 6 5 - 0 Nadal……. 3 2 3 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, now Djokovic gets some luck as well as a ball pops off the top of the net on a volley, but Nadal was way back in the court and never getting back into that point anyway. Djokovic a game away from Australian Open No.7. Djokovic… 6 6 5 - Nadal……. 3 2 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wide serve, and Nadal can't get anything more than a return sailing out as it slid away from him. Djokovic… 6 6 4 - AD Nadal……. 3 2 3 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nadal hanging around. He was right behind the baseline there, but played better defence than he has all night, then got enough time on the back of a deep ball, before putting the forehand inside in. Djokovic… 6 6 4 - deuce (1) Nadal……. 3 2 3 -