On at the present time 13 years in the past, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal pushed the boundaries of our sport to a brand new degree! Two legends battled within the 2012 Australian Open closing and produced a cracker, with the Serb prevailing 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 in 5 hours and 53 minutes!
Novak and Rafa embraced essentially the most prolonged Main closing in tennis historical past, and it is exhausting to think about it stepping down from the highest anytime quickly. The world’s finest gamers pushed one another to the boundaries, throwing every thing at one another till the final drop of blood and sweat.
Nadal prevailed within the fourth set and prolonged his possibilities. The Spaniard had an enormous likelihood to emerge on the prime and carry a trophy. He lad 4-2 within the decider and had a routine backhand at 30-15 within the seventh sport. Rafa missed it, and it will value him dearly.
Djokovic pulled the break again and prevailed with a late one to safe some of the emotional triumphs of his unimaginable profession. Two legends battled 60 occasions on the Tour, however nothing comes near this excellent conflict.
The longest chapter of their 60-part rivalry. Djokovic v Nadal, the Australian Open 2012 closing 🏆 #rematch pic.twitter.com/w2Ya51dHiB
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) July 29, 2024
Novak gained 17 factors greater than Rafa, forging that benefit within the mid-range rallies. The Serb landed extra winners and compelled extra errors from the opposite facet. He survived all of the thrills and turnarounds to emerge on the prime and defend the crown.
Djokovic created 20 break factors and seized seven, together with the essential one at 6-5 within the decider. The Serb managed the tempo in his video games properly after the opener. He received damaged 4 occasions and confronted solely three break factors in units two, three, 4 and 5!
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2012© Stream screenshot
Rafa served nicely early on and secured a break within the fifth sport. Novak missed two break factors within the sixth sport earlier than making one other push on the return at 3-4. Nadal missed an opportunity to maneuver 5-3 up and sprayed a forehand error to expertise a break.
The Spaniard stepped in on the return within the eleventh sport and grabbed a break after the Serb’s backhand mistake. The 2009 champion transformed the third set level at 6-5 with a service winner, bringing the opener house after 80 minutes.
Djokovic responded with a break within the fourth sport of the second set. The defending champion served nicely and moved 5-2 in entrance. Unwilling to offer the set away simply, Nadal denied a set level on serve in sport eight and two extra on the return at 3-5.
Rafael Nadal, Australian Open 2012© Stream screenshot
Novak hit a double fault in that ninth sport and suffered a pricey break, bringing his rival again to the optimistic facet. The Spaniard wasted an opportunity to degree the rating at 5-5 and hit a double fault on the fourth set level. Thus, the Serb leveled the general rating to 1-1 after two hours and 26 minutes.
Djokovic took cost and dominated the third set. He secured a break within the fourth sport and offered two positive holds for 5-2. The defending champion made one other push on the return in sport eight and fired a forehand down the road winner.
Thus, he secured a break at love and moved nearer to the highest after three hours and 11 minutes. Nadal had no room for errors within the fourth set, but he made them within the eighth sport! The Spaniard stood on the verge of defeat and bounced again brilliantly.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2012© Stream screenshot
Rafa defended three break factors with winners and wrapped up the sport to stay on the optimistic facet after 4 hours on the clock! The rain interrupted the match, and it continued below a closed roof at Rod Laver Area. Nadal served to remain within the match at 5-6.
He saved his focus and introduced it house at love with a forehand winner for extra drama. Novak stepped in on the return at 2-3 and cast a 5-3 benefit with a forehand down the road winner. The Spaniard discovered himself two factors from a painful defeat.
Nonetheless, he endured and locked the outcome at 5-5 after the rival’s free forehand. Rafa rattled off 4 factors and stole the breaker 7-5, celebrating on his knees and forcing a decider after 4 hours and 40 minutes!
Rafael Nadal, Australian Open 2012© Stream screenshot
They served nicely within the opening 5 video games, staying neck and neck. Nadal delivered a break within the sixth sport after forcing Djokovic’s mistake, forging a 4-2 benefit and shifting nearer to his second Australian Open crown.
Rafa led 30-15 within the seventh sport and will have earned two sport factors. Nonetheless, he missed a routine backhand and suffered a vital break that allowed Novak to bounce again. The Spaniard confronted points on serve within the ninth sport.
He saved a break level with a service winner and closed the sport with one other for a 5-4 benefit. The Serb closed the tenth sport with a service winner, extending the drama because the duel approached the seventh hour!
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2012© Stream screenshot
Nadal cracked below stress at 5-5. He missed a slice on the second break level and despatched Djokovic 6-5 in entrance. The defending champion served for the title in sport 12 and confronted a break level after one other grueling alternate.
Novak attacked along with his backhand and drew a compelled error from the opposite facet. Rafa missed a backhand and confronted a match level. Djokovic seized it with a cracking forehand winner, beginning an enormous celebration after one of many best matches of all time.
