Stefanos Tsitsipas v Rafael Nadal: Australian Open 2021 – live! | Sport

Tsitsipas* 3-6 1-4 Nadal (*denotes server)

That is getting ugly for Tsitsipas. He goes 30-0 down after some brutal forehands. Then it goes to 15-30 when Nadal takes on a long-range try at a winner. Tsitsipas’ conjures a winner with a whipping backhand to degree. Nice shot. Then Nadal hits the online twine and curses at hand over recreation level. It goes to deuce with an exhilarating forehand winner. Then comes a web twine winner for break level for which Nadal apologises. Tsitsipas can solely hit the online twine to concede one other break.

Tsitsipas 3-6 1-3 *Nadal (*denotes server)

Nadal has misplaced the primary level of each service recreation up to now and does so right here too. He quickly equalises with a profitable forehand and a punch of the air. Then comes a mistake as he whips the ball out of play as house opened up. A wipe of the towel follows. That does the trick, and he ranges at 30-30. Tsitsipas is spending a variety of time means behind the again of the courtroom. It’s 40-30 with an ace. Then comes one other of these whipped forehand winners, which no one can return.

Tsitsipas* 3-6 1-2 Nadal (*denotes server)

Higher serving from Tsitsipas offers some hope. He’s having to launch the throttle to get again into the sport. He wins the sport to like, and with an ace on a second serve.

Tsitsipas 3-6 0-2 Nadal* (*denotes server)

The sound of birds may be heard, vultures we’re advised, and Nadal is tucking into Tsitsipas’s kind with relish. He wins an extended rally for 15-15 then serves brutally for 30-15. Then Tsitsipas’ volley goes into the online. He’s been far too free. He loses the sport with a failed winner down the road. The radar is off, whereas Nadal is flying.

Tsitsipas* 3-6 0-1 Nadal (*denotes server)

One other break! After a brief break by which Nadal adjustments his very sweaty shirt – it’s 26 levels, having been over 30 many of the day in Melbourne – we’re again. Tsitsipas tries to seek out his means again into the match however begins with an error to make it 15-15. Then comes an ace bang down the centre. Nadal makes it 30-30 with a chopping, sliced drop shot. Then he whacks a winner off a sliced drop shot along with his double-handed again hand. The break is claimed with a dismissive forehand.

Tsitsipas 3-6* Nadal (*denotes server)

The Greek is unbowed after that break of serve and hits a mighty winner to assert the primary level. He makes an attempt the identical to attempt to go 30-0 up and lashes the ball out of play. Higher comes as he goes 30-15 up with a fantastic return. The following return goes out to make it 30-30. Nadal appears fierce as he claims set level with some typical artillery. That’s snaffled up with a kick serve that may solely be pushed into the bottom of the online.

Tsitsipas* 3-5 Nadal (*denotes server)

First break of the match! Tsitsipas factors the place Nadal has been sweating on the courtroom. And asks for it to be cleaned up. Nadal appears unamused by the suggestion he’s over-perspiring. The motion will get underway with Tsitsipas coming to the online and smashing the ball residence. The identical occurs for the subsequent. A second serve likelihood is seized on by Nadal for 15-30, with a hooking winner. Then it goes to 30-30. Tsitsipas’s flip to sweat as Nadal grabs a break level with a backhand crash. The break is claimed when the Greek goes for a winner down the road and crashes off the online.

Tsitsipas 3-4 *Nadal (*denotes server)

Nadal taking ages over his serves, and there appears to be a purpose for that. Tsitsipas goes 30-0 up after two dangerous providers from the Spaniard who recovers himself to win the subsequent. And the subsequent, which flies down the road. Then, after a 25-shot rally, Nadal works a winner by means of the open courtroom. Then Tsitsipas scoops the ball excessive to concede the sport.

Tsitsipas* 3-3 Nadal (*denotes server)

Tsitsipas begins with a kicking serve. He goes 30-15 down after a few errors earlier than levelling after an extended rally which ends with Nadal going lengthy. He steps as much as 40-30 when Nadal nets then wins the sport with a towering smash.

Tsitsipas 2-3 Nadal* (*denotes server)

An error compelled by Tsitsipas to begin off, then Nadal whips a winner to equalise. Then Tsitsipas goes lengthy. He wins the subsequent, although, a rally, by coming to the online. Nadal celebrates a serve that Tsitsipas can’t return. Then the Greek’s backhand lets him down.

Tsitsipas* 2-2 Nadal (*denotes server)

Tsitsipas begins with an un-returnable serve, then sends Nadal on a run and he can’t dig out his shot. Then comes one other ace. After which the sport is served out to like.

Tsitsipas 1-2 *Nadal (*denotes server)

Tsitsipas appears to fancy taking up the Nadal serve however to little avail. He’s blindsided by an ace for 30-0, after which the Spaniard bullies one down the road for 40-0. A lot the identical occurs to seal the sport.

Tsitsipas* 1-1 Nadal (*denotes server)

Nadal is shipped across the courtroom by the Greek’s backhand, and a few first rate serving, and the sport is served out to like.

Tsitsipas 0-1 Nadal* (*denotes server)

And away we go, with the veteran – he’s nonetheless solely 34 – taking the honour. Tsitsipas’s return wins the primary level however he nets the second. Then comes an extended rally which ends with Tsitsipas’s tried winner going simply huge. A double fault makes it 30-30. Tsitsipas goes too lengthy at hand over recreation level, and Nadal serves out to assert.

The gamers are on the courtroom on the Rod Laver Enviornment, with Nadal in peach and Tsitsipas in a canary yellow. The knocking up begins to the tune of The Weeknd, pop pickers.

Daniil Medvedev awaits within the semi, having handled Andrey Rublev in three units. Nadal in again within the quarter-finals, the place he perished final 12 months, dropping to Dominic Thiem. Tsitsipas was a semi-finalist in 2019 however might solely attain the third spherical final 12 months. Nadal is seeking to win solely his second Australian Open, the only victory coming in that 2009 epic win over Roger Federer.

The document between these two is six wins to Nadal to 1 from Tsitsipas, although the youthful man did beat Nadal on clay as soon as. Their final two conferences have been on the laborious courtroom at London’s ATP finals, and each went to the utmost three seats.

The stage is about although Covid restrictions cease any spectators being within the area till tomorrow. Be part of me.