By Greg Robertson
Hello and welcome to Grand Slam final time as 3 News Sport online brings you video live updates of tonight’s Australian Open men’s final 2012 between world No. 1, Serbian, Novak Djokovic and world No. 2, Spain's Rafael Nadal in Melbourne, Australia.
We’ll bring the Australian Open final and the best video highlights as they occur, live streaming commentary, score updates and all the drama from Rod Laver Arena. We’ll warn you with a ‘Video coming’ when highlights are being added and it will change to ‘Video up’ when it’s ready to view. Refresh your browser occasionally so you don’t miss any of the tennis action.
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FINAL score….
Novak Djokovic 5, 6, 6, 6 (5), 7
Rafael Nadal 7, 4, 2, 7 (7), 5
LIVE COMMENTARY…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC WINS THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN in a five set, 5 hours and 53 minute thriller.
Set 5, game 12, Djokovic serving: Djokovic serving for the match and wins the first point. That makes two points for the Berbian - two more and titles his.Nadal wins a point and then Djokovic gets a chance to slam but misses it badly, 30-all. Nadal behind the whole way then suddenly Nadal wins the point to take it to 30-40. Djokovic needs to move to the net. Great cross court backhand from Djokovic takes it to deuce again. this is the game that keeps on giving. Five hours and 52 minutes so far! We've arrived at match point - a shade under six hours....Djokovic wins!!!! A forehand to the righthand corner and it's all over. Video up.
Set 5, game 11, Nadal serving: Great point by Nadal on the run down the line. Video up. Djokovic takes a small advantage with a 15-30 lead but he's had a heap of these tonight... misses a lob and it's 30-all. Another great rally but Djokovic refused to move into the net but he has another break opportunity with Nadal coming up short. Nadal misses the first serve.... and then he framed the second serve but still won the point, deuce. Nadal hits one wide and Djokovic has another break chance.Nadal hits the tape. Djokovic wins game, breaks serve.
Set 5, game 10, Djokovic serving: New balls and Djokovic makes use of them with a cross court forehand winner. Novak now pushing Nadal around the court and his return hits the net, 30-0. Nadal misses a second serve and it's 40-0. Double fault takes it to 40-15. Djokovic wins game.
Set 5, game 9, Nadal serving: this rally is ridiculous - how many shots was that? Thirty-one stroke rally as the players hit the deck and the crowd at the arena stands with full applause. A remarkable moment in a remarkable match. that was so good I've forgotten who won it, oh, Nadal, and he goes 30-0 up with a drop shot that failed by Djokovic. Ball called long, and Djokovic challenges and he's right. Nadal gets the rough rub now with a couple of calls going against him, though correctly going against him. Comes up with an ace for 40-30. Djokovic finishes with an overhand forehand for winner number 54 and deuce. Wild from Nadal... break point to Novak.great serve stretches Djokovic and it's back to deuce. Djokovic with a great return but Nadal shows excellent touch to play the drop shot that Djokovic could not get enough under, advantage Nadal. Novak's return is long and that's the game. Nadal wins game.
Set 5, game 8, Djokovic serving: Nadal wins the first point and Novak suddenly starts spraying his first serve. He gets his second in and another epic rally with 25 shots until Nadal cannot stretch his body any further, 15-all. Djokovic doing some stretching of his own but his is to keep loose as he picks up another point. He can't buy a first serve though in this game. He doesn't need it as Nadal's game goes behind the baseline again, 40-15. A wild backhand from Nadal gifts Djokovic the game. Djokovic wins game.
Set 5, game 7, Nadal serving: Everyone inside Rod Laver arena is on the edge of their seats as Nadal goes up 30-15. Nadl challenges a wide call... vital points this one... and Novak takes it to a break point. He's had plenty of those tonight. Nadal misses the serve... second serve.... kicks up and Djokovic puts it right at his feet. Djokovic wins game, breaks serve.
Set 5, game 6, Djokovic serving: Nadal went for the first opportunity he had with a strong cross-court forehand but it's missed. This time it's Djokovic who misses an easy shot, banging it square into the net from close range. the arms are getting heavy for both players no doubt, 15-all. Novak shifts Nadal around the court until he can run no more, his return laboured into the net.The Novak is too long, 30-all. You get the feeling this game is a vital one... especially for Djokovic.Great defense from Nadal as Djokovic pounded away, then Novak went across court but missed. Break point to Nadal, number 5 9versus Novak's 16). He breaks! Video up. Nadal wins game, breaks serve!
Set 5, game 5, Nadal serving: Epic rally ends with Djokovic missing down the line with his forehand, grabbing the net. Novak's feet cast in concrete then... is this a sign of a man tiring? Nadal adds and ace for 40-0.
Set 5, game 4, Djokovic serving: is this the game where Nadal strikes? Will he be going for glory shots or praying on a tiring Djokovic? Either way, he takes the first point with solid returns. Djokovic missing his first serves... and one is slammed by Nadal and returned with twice as much power by Djokovic, 15-all. Nadal wins the next point for 15-30 and Djokovic responds by sending a ripper of an ace Nadal's way for 30-all. Djokovic a little lucky there as Nadal guesses the right way but his passing shot wasn't executed as well as he'd have liked. Another hook by Nadal as the clock ticks to five hours. Djokovic wins game.
It's official - the longest Grand Slam final in history - 4 hours and 55 minutes so far.
Set 5, game 3, Nadal serving: This is epic.... Nadal winning the first point of the game and he has definitely picked up the pace while Djokovic is heading in the other direction. That leg strain - is that starting to play a part? Poor return from Djokovic into the net for 30-0. Bang - 40-0. Cross court misses from Novak. Nadal wins game.
Set 5, game 2, Djokovic serving: Ball's called out and Nadal stares it down but goes with it. just wide. Novak takes it to 30-0 as he lets a wild one fly by his head and out. Djokovic carries on to win that one easy. Djokovic wins game.
This is soon going to be the longest Grans Slam final in history - we are five minutes short of the 4 hours 54 minutes in the US Open in 1988.
Set 5, game 1, Nadal serving: Nadal slams one across court with great zest to take it to 30-15 then steps up again and smashes another for 40-15. Momentum ---> shift, again. Double fault doesn't help the cause though and it's 40-30. Ace finishes it off. Nadal wins game.
TIE BREAK: Djokovic 5 Nadal 7. Djokovic takes the first point easily but the second is either man's to take, Nadal the first to react. Here comes Nadal as he pushes Djokovic wide with one shot and Novak lobs high just for Nadal to smash from shallow, 1-2. ohh, Djokovic shows Nadal the whole open court and he misses long, going with serve 2-2. Then Djokovic misses and easy forehand wide and long - a bit too relaxed on that one, 2-3. Oh, 3-all as Nadal is unlucky with a ball tipped out off the top of the net. Nadal to serve.... and Djokovic all over it and slams it too the corner, Nadal returns and it's called out... this one's tight but it's out. Huge point and Djokovic leads 4-3. Djokovic with a screamer down the line, 5-3. Video up. Djokovic wide with one he should not have missed, back on serve 5-4. Djokovic misses a sitter when it was harder to hit the net. Oh dear, he should have nailed that, 5-5. Nadal slams in a serve... he leads 5-6. Set point. Djokovic misses - he misses. Nadal wins the set. We are going to five!
Set 4, game 12, Nadal to serve: Well what a game this has been as Nadal continues to hang in... good serve, Novak hits net and it's 15-0. Djokovic spots a chance straight down the line on his forehand and goes for it - long. Never looked like it though the right idea, 30-0. That's followed up by a sloppy forehand that his below halfway up the net, 40-0. Looking likely for a tie-breaker. yep, too easy... fasten your seatbelts. Nadal wins game.
Set 4, game 11, Djokovic serving: Novak back to business as usual with his serve and picks up the first two point but then fires one way too long for 15-all. Rod Laver Arena has fans baying for this to go to five sets. Novak down the line smartly with the forehand and Nadal scoops it long, 30-15. Djokovic somewhat surprised that some wicked topspin pulls the Nadal shot down to the line and his return is affected, pushing it well wide for 30-all. Djokovic having him with the serve returns it against Nadal's movement to his left by going right. Video up. Nadal hits the net and Djokovic is the first to six games - pressure back on Nadal. Djokovic wins game.
Set 4, game 10, Nadal serving: Every point vital now... Nadal is long, how'd he hit that long? Anyway, he's long. watch Djokovuic take a few risks now. this time Djokovic is long... and again, 30-15. Djokovic finds the net. Nadal on track to keep this one going. Yeah baby, smashing stuff from the defending champ with winner number 46 (35 to Nadal), 40-30. Nadal magical in staying in that point and he holds his serve. Nadal wins game.
Set 4, game 9, Djokovic serving: He's up first, serving colder than what he was but that was just a wee boon for the man as Nadal found some great form from nowhere. Djokovic wins the first point. Did someone say cold? love game and the shot of the match so far from Djokovic. He's one game away from the championship. Video up soon. Djokovic wins game.
Rain delay.... roof being closed ... four hours into the match. Shouldn't be too long. players doing stretches, some mopping up going on and we'll be away shortly I'm sure.
Set 4, game 8, Nadal serving: That's the start Djokovic wanted with a return right on the baseline, 0-15. Oh that point was lovely... Djokovic somehow winning the point when he looked out of it. Video up soon. Djokovic leads 0-30 in the game. Too good, takes Djokovic to 0-40. This is danger zone for Nadal. Three break points. One save with a smashing forehand from Rafa to an off-balance Djokovic. that's two saved. Fifteen break points to Djokovic and he's converted only five. Oh Rafael nadal where has this tennis been? catches Djokovic off-guard again, it's deuce and the rain begins to drop by the look of things - could just be sweat. Ace - no challenge.... it's good. Four straight Nadal points. Nadal wins the game! How'd he do that an the chainsaw pump comes out. It's raining... it's raining... what a time for this to be interrupted. Nadal wins game.
Set 4, game 7, Djokovic serving: Each player wins a point to get the game going, 15-all. Djokovic then - backed by 70% first serves in this set - is back in charge. Another first serve that Nadal can do nothing with but find the net., 40-15. Second serve does the damage this time. Djokovic wins game.
Set 4, game 6, Nadal serving: Lovely serve down the middle to start leave Djokovic floundering to get a racquet to it. Nadal out to 30-0. Double fault doesn't help Nadal's cause, 30-15. Nadal hits the net five shots into the rally, 30-all. This could be pivotal. Nadal again showing his fighting qualites as he looks like he's out of the point but somehow in his mind he's on top in the point and shows to the world what he's thinking with a great backhand. Oh.... magic from Nadal, creeps one over the net. Video up. Nadal wins game.
Set 4, game 5, Djokovic serving: Oh that could be the change in fortune that Nadal needs as a forehand drops in. Video up. Djokovic produces a winner of his own for 15-all. Bull by horns as Nadal hands on does the Spaniard - massive forehand across court give him a sniff at 15-30. But a sliced backhand grabs the lip of the net for 30-30. Huge point and cometh the hour cometh the man - with a huge serve that Nadal can't return... then he dominates and forces an error long from Nadal. Djokovic wins game.
Set 4, game 4, Nadal to serve: Nadal gets the first point but then misses a smash from the back off the court after a Djokovic high lob, 15-all. But from that point it was all Nadal to win the game as comfortably as he has ever since that first set. Nadal wins game.
Set 4, game 3, Djokovic to serve: Too much for Nadal, He was stretched from the the serve and was playing catch up while the No. 1 ran him ragged. Djokovic backs that up with an ace - number six for the evening - and it's 30-0. Another ace, this time straight down the middle for 40-0. Easy, love game. Djokovic wins game.
Set 4, game 2, Nadal serving: Nadal rolled the dice after a long rally and cut one straight down the line with his backhand. he has no option but to bring out his aggressive game now. Djokovic moved in to cut the angle of the serve and returned well to win the point, 15-all. Oh, he misses an easy cross court then but made the statement that he can dictate to Nadal - he's got him running all over the court.Another point goes begging... Nadal missed long and wide, 30-all.Djokovic struggles with the return and hits the net - nice cheap point that one to give Nadal a chance at this game 40-30. No... deep return of serve from Djokovic and Nadal had to two-hand scoop it to the base of the net for deuce. Bang bang as the Spaniard refuses to give in. Nadal wins game.
Set 4, game 1, Djokovic serving: Djokovic out to a 30-15 lead at the start of the fourth set. sends down a wide 199km rocket and sends it to 40-15. But he shows a touch of weakness on the forehand to find the net. can Rafa take heart in that or is is head too far gone? he'll fight on that's for sure. And he's got it back to deuce with some great baseline shots. that's where he has to play to stay in the points - he's been far too deep. Bad miss down the line by Nadal lets Novak off the hook. Solid fight back and suddenly it's Djokovic that has his serve well under pressure. swings and roundabouts this match. Then comes the fist pump as Djokovic says to Nadal that there will be no more Final twists and takes the advantage. Nadal misses again trying to get that ferocious topspin - shanks it. Djokovic wins game.
DJOKOVIC WINS SECOND SET 6-2. Leads 2 sets to 1.
Set 3, game 8, Nadal serving: Nadal again serving to keep the set going. Nadal clearly unhappy about a call he didn't get and plays on as he's had no luck tonight with challenges, but he eventually finds the net. The game is falling apart for Nadal a touch as he tries a forehand with topspin that is long, 0-30. Nadal looks emotionally and mentally lost - like he can't believe this is happening again. He hits wide and it's 0-40 as the panic button looks like it's about to be pressed. three break points. Absolute winner from Djokovic. Video up. Djokovic wins game and second set.
Set 3, game 7, Djokovic serving: Djokovic jumps out to a 30-0 lead as the winners dry up for Nadal. In the first set he had 15, second set 9 and so far in this set two. Love game. Djokovic puts all the pressure in the world on Nadal's serve but holds his easy. Djokovic wins game.
Set 3, game 6, Nadal serving: Nadal misses that first serve... will Novak jump all over the second? he sure does and he runs Nadal around the court, opens up the court and then just turns the ball down the line for the winner that looks easy but has come about through depth and pace as well as master control. Nadal takes two points, the second being a lovely cross court forehand that Djokovic admired on its way past. This game has been played in great spirit between two player who respect each other. Djokovic just absolutely hit the cover off two forehands and Nadal could only flick the racquet at it and it flies long, 30-all. Djokovic backs off, backs off, then drops the shot just over the net. Break point. back to deuce with Nadal finding that first serve which of late has been a touch elusive. Ohh the Serb finds the top of the net and Nadal continues to fight for his service games. Second serve sits up but the Open champ hits it long. strange shot. Another break point goes begging. Nadal wins game.
Set 3, game 5, Djokovic serving: Djokovic finds a first serve and Nadal scoops the return wide. Then he doubles it with another first serve that catches the line by 2mm... Nadal missing the close challenges. Serve in, Nadal finds net. The momentum has shifted BIG TIME. Oh, not a bad Nadal return but Djokovic shows the form he's suddenly discovered and whips it to the corner for a winner and the game. Djokovic wins game.
Set 3, game 4, Nadal serving: Nadal takes the first point of the match with Djokovic unable to hand the second serve. Complete miss-time flies the ball vertical from the racquet head from Nadal, 15-all. And there's the Nadal fist pump... the man who makes the first decisive move looks like they will take this match. Nadal wins that point then another miss-time off the racquet levels it at 30-30. Djokovic unhappy - had a great return but the point is being replayed. Here's trouble, Djokovic advances to the net and whips a forehand to Nadal's right who didn't have the wheels to get there. Djokovic with a number of little steps - the feet are starting to work. Break point. Best rallyu so far with power ground shots to the front of the queue until Nadal misses a forehand and that;s the break needed. Djokovic wins game, breaks serve.
Set 3, game 3, Djokovic serving: Fantastic from Djokovic down the line from a sweet backhand. Video up. Nadal wins the next point but can't back it up again as Djokovic starts to bury his forehands across court to Nadal's backhand, 15-30. Djokovic's backhand is long for 30-all. Weak backhand that finds the net puts Nadal on the back foot again, 40-30. Djokovic keeps it with serve. Djokovic wins game.
Set 3, game 2, Nadal serving: Nadal registers his first point of the third set and that will be settling. Follows that up with a smoking ace.But Djokivic shows some of his up and down form to volley a winner... there's starting to be more ups than downs. Nadal solid to take it to 40-15, he'll want this one with every piece of him. Starts by missing the serve... forehand to the corner from Djokovic, returned just, then even more topspin on the forehand to the corner and Nadal can only get a piece of it from five metres behind and wide.Suddenly, Nadal misses an easy shot and it's deuce. Nadal showing if he gets that first serve in at the body it's a point bagged nearly every time, advantage. But a forehand is rifled up the line for deuce and Djokovic starts pumping the fist. hmmm then he gets one stuck on the racquet and sort of hooks the ball like a cricketer. Nadal then misses long and we have another marathon game coming up folks. Nadal takes the 12th point of the opening Nadal service game, advantage Nadal. Nadal holds serve. Nadal wins game. Two hours and 41 minutes so far.
Set 3, game 1, Djokovic serving: Djokovic is on a roll and steps up to win bang, bang, bang, bang with a love game. that all seemed too easy. Djokovic wins game.
DJOKOVIC WINS THE SECOND SET 6-4.
Set 2, game 10, Nadal serving: Long rally to start the game has Djokovic hanging his head after a tired looking stroke into the net. Did that last game hurt? I think so. Djokovic wins the second point and then the third thanks to a second serve that sat up for him and he ripped it far corner on the angle.But he lands a first serve and Novak hits long, 30-all. He fires at the body with the serve and it does the trick for Nadal again, 40-30. Djokovic just doesn't have the footwork consistently to make lighter work of the return of first serve. Djokovic making hay again off that second serve (132km). A couple of great forehands for deuce. Magical and timely passing shot from Djokovic with some great anticipation is able to grip both hands on the racquet and fire a double backhand down the line. Video up . Set point, advantage. Double fault from Nadal and it's leveled up! Djokovic wins game and set.
Set 2, game 9, Djokovic serving: Winner to start things across court from Djokovic's backhand, then 30-0 with a weak forehand from Nadal that falls short.Lovely drop shot gives Djokovic two set points. He misses with a backhand whipped across court so that is one chance gone. Amazing from Nadal makes it deuce - ran right around that and fired to the far corner of the caught for another winner. Ohh Nadal gets away with that as both players find themselves at the net, Djokovic with the chance to finish the shot and Nadal picks the right way. Video up. He's saved two set points and now has a break point. Vital first serve... long... second serve... double fault!!! To be challenged and his hopes rest on Hawke Eye.... well out. Nadal wins game, breaks serve.
Set 2, game 8, Nadal serving: Nadal serving just to keep the set going so it will be interesting to see how he plays this one... starts with a good serve that Djokovic fails to return. Djokovic standing on the baseline and looks like a different player to that first set, whipping it right, then left and control, control, control. Lovely play there, Nadal holding the cards and fires a forehand down the line and Djokovic struggles to return, only good enough to sit it up for an advancing Nadal to volley home, 30-15. Roofs starting to close a touch and word is that the rain is closing in as Djokovic makes it 30-all. Ohhh Djokovic slips as he tries to recover a great spin slice from Nadal's racquet out wide, but Djokovic at full stretch could not return. Stunning from Djokovic to make it deuce. He just fired from the hip with a return. Video up. Nadal then wins and then Novak fires a very similar shot to the video i just got, for deuce. This is the game of terrific returns of serves as Djokovic's game suddenly becomes more heightened. Set and break point.... can't do it as Nadal charges to the net and forces Djokovic to play over the top but he's long. Just like this game. Novak then finds the top of the net and Nadal tries to fight back. Djokovic's game has changed, he's now able to clear his body out of the way with great footwork to allow room for the shot. And Nadal does just that with a clean winner. Nadal wins game.
Set 2, game 7, Djokovic serving: Opening point took a while as the challenge form Djokovic was good and after a great rally he just misses the line going around the outside of the net post, nevertheless, 0-15. Good serve and Nadal hits the net with his backhand return. Then Nadal a little too clever with a slices drop shot that grabs the top of the net, 30-15. Another good serve, 40-15. Djokovic has this one right where he wants it...cheeky, long shot that Nadal looks at and must have thought it was long, though he returns and Djokovic plays a lovely drop shot. Video up. Djokovic wins game.
Set 2, game 6, Nadal serving: The wind is just starting to get up and that could mean a change in the weather. Long rally as the game comes alive and it's all flowing the way of the defending champ. he's running Nadal around and gone are those early unforced errors that haunted him. Ace, no, Djokovic challenges and it's out my a gnat's breath, or 2mm. he then finds the net for 15-all. Just when you think Nadal is out of a point he jumps right back. Djokovic looked stuck between coming forward and risking the Nadal passing shot and he is sort of stuck between the two and volleys into the net. Ace number five for Nadal takes it to 40-15. Wild service return from Novak. Nadal wins game.
Set 2, game 5, Djokovic serving: New balls and Djokovic has stopped worrying about his racquets so he looks like the focus is back, 15-all. Djokovic sneaks away to 30-15 then Nadal with a backhand winner to Djokovic's backhand to make it 30-all. Smashing shot from Novak who lets rip with a full blooded forehand across court that Nadal goes for but can only get the tip of the racquet too, 40-30. The confidence is back, the old Djokovic is coming back. Djokovic wins game.
Set 2, game 4, Nadal serving: 100th minute in the 100th final..Nadl serving at 75% of first serves 9compared to 56%). Long rally to start with Djokovic constructing the point brilliantly before letting one zip from five metres behind the baseline, right down the line and giving Rafa no chance. Djokovic out-rallied in the second point, 15-all. Oh what a beauty as Nadal sends one on it's way as he was falling out of court and finds the line. Video up. But Djokovic is looking to break again with a poor shot from Nadal on top of the frame - again, 30-40. He breaks... ran Nadal around then found the baseline. Djokovic wins game, breaks serve.
Set 2, game 3, Djokovic serving. super stuff from both players and Djokovic fins the backhand winner down the line. Video up. Djokovic gritting his teeth up 30-15. Lazy shot then gifts one back to Nadal for 30-all. Class from the champ and opens the body up to let one rip with plenty of top on it. Nadal unforced that time finds the net when he had control of the point. Djokovic wins game.
Set 2, game 2, Nadal serving: First double fault by any player coming from the racquet of Nadal. Ohh that's noticeable and very audible as there is plenty more squeak coming from the Djokovic shoes, 0-30. Nadal wins the next point with Novak firing too long then Nadal sends one long and wide and Djokovic suddenly has two break points. Nadal then gets a chance to run around one and that's one of the break points dealt with. Wow the pressure screws were turned to full with Djokovic getting Nadal on the run but somehow a topspin gets him back into the rally and Nadal follows it up with a thumping background, then an ace for advantage.Though the sliding backhand instead of the drop shot was the wrong choice from Nadal as it slides wide and puts pressure back on his serve. Nadal with another strong serve and Djokovic is tied up and fends one off long, called out. Ace from Nadal, and another chance isn't taken advantage of - will this come back to bite Novak? Nadal wins game.
Set 2, game 1, Djokovic serving: a little pressure on Novak's servic game but he fights back in style and ends the game with a serve and volley. Nadal is all skip and dazzle while Djokovic definitely looks a little tired. Djokovic wins game.
NADAL TAKES THE FIRST SET 7-5.
Set 1, game 12, Nadal serving: He's hit that serve again, straight at Novak's body. Oh, then Djokovic totally controlled the point with his service return - Nadal pulling the trigger on a forehand down the line which misses, 15-all. Serve, point, Nadal. Djokovic just didn't have an answer for that one. Nadal goes right, then left, Djokovic lobs, Nadal returns and Nadal goes to the net after two cross court shots, moves forward and backhand volleys across court for 40-15 and two set points. Nadal's 128km serve sits up and gets what it deserved - smoked., 40-30. Great fight back and defensive work from Djokovic hangs in their and forces an error for deuce.Three forehands across court, one back hand and then Djokovic hits wide. Advantage Nadal and another set point. To the body, long is the retirun from Djokovic. Nadal wins the first set in 1 hour 22 minutes. Video up.
Set 1, game 11, Djokovic serving: Djokovic suddenly an unhappy man, unforced and long again.But he puts on a smile (yeah, right) as he slams the ball away for 15-all. First serve percentage for the defending champions is only 45% to date. Nadal long this time. Then Nadal puts all the top spin in the world and absolutely rips it for a winner after doing all the work with his backhand, 30-all. Ohh Nadal sees a half opening and goes down the line with a forehand and perhaps the biggest point to date in the match has just been won. Nadal looking to break, 30-40. The break comes - at the worst possible time for Novak Djokovic. Nadal wins game, breaks serve.
Set 1, game 10. Nadal serving: So far some 62 minutes into this set. Weather holding. Rafa needing to find a spark again. Goes back to the serve to the body which has worked very well for him so far. A lone seagull has dived into the stadium... and about 100 others have followed! That's like the ANZACS, first man over the trench and the rest following. They've departed as quickly as they came. Nadal winning the first two points without a real contest... make that three points, 40-0. Bang, bang, the champ comes back knocking with some great ground-stroke control for 40-30. Great Nadal winner right across the court. Video up. Nadal wins game.
Set 1, game 9, Djokovic serving: Nadal jumps out to a 30-0 lead with some wicked cross court forehands that rip through the court. Ohhh what a weird point as Djokovic gets a 'Get out of jail free card'. Nadal all over him, fires a passing shot that had Novak beaten all ends up but it flicks the top of the net and lets the Serb back into the point. Against the odds, looking out of sorts, with a possible injury... the champion is making a massive come back into this match, 30-all. Then he decides to get clinical, fires a serve wide that Nadal struggles with and then whips it back across the court for the winner, 40-30. That shot from Nadal again... over and over, always out. Djokovic wins game.
Set 1, game 8, Nadal serving: New balls, Nadal with the break serving at 4-3. There's that 'popper' from Nadal where he tries to get all this top spin but sends it long. Third time he's played exactly the same shot all with a negative result. But he bounces back and really puts pressure on his opponent... Djokovic trying to bring the rain down with the ball and a 40 metre lob shot, long. Nadal doesn't have to do anything with the next point as Djokovic skies it into the crowd - got him! Great catch from a silver fox in the front row. Back to the action, and it's all tied up at 30-all. Djokovic's feet are stuck in concrete as he made no effort to run around and smash a forehand winner. He gets it back to all square at deuce by outlasting Nadal in the rally. Nadal this time putting pressure on his own game with a loose shot... are we about to see one of those infamous changes in momentum? No, Djokovic misses the line. Nadal struggling with the spin on the last point as it looped, bit and fired up at his face. Another break chance for Djokovic. Great serve halfway up the service line and spinning away forces Djokovic to have to take a hand off the racquet and he can't control the return. Deuce, again. Advantage Djokovic as he throws a forehand into Nadal's far corner, with a scampering Nadal trying to keep up with a ball moving further and further away. Hits it off the frame. Then Djokovic breaks.... it took him five break points to do it. Djokovic wins game, breaks serve.
Set 1, game 7, Djokovic serving: The vibration dampener flew from Nadal's racquet so he's just popping it back in and we have 15-all. The defending champion is looking very much unlike a defending champion and very unlike a Novak Djokovic. He's been all stand and deliver and he finishes that point in exactly that manner. Ohh lovely forehand cross court gives Djokovic some breathing space, 40-15. Video up. Djokovic holds. Djokovic wins game.
Set 1, game 6, Nadal serving: Djokovic has chance his racquet, changed his shirt (now black) and hoping for a change in fortune no doubt. Nadal starts with an ace straight down the middle and wins it after a challenge. Novak gets his first point in his flash new black shirt, 15-all.Then Djokovic misses with a wide swinging forehand - his feet are nowhere on that shot. Drop shot from Djokovic has Nadal scrambling and covering the court - he gets it put Novak slots the next shot, 30-all. Nadal misses one wide aflter a massive flick off the top of the net and we have a chance of a break back straight away.... but you won't break a man who goes for for it down the line with the forehand, and more importantly hits it. Nadal just hitting the ball back to Novak and waiting for the unforced error. Djokovic now with 12 unforced errors though the last one should have counted as two unforced errors as it was metres wide with no pressure at all. Back to deuce thanks to a whippy forehand. Deep return from Djokovic means Rafael has to rush a top spin shot but it's long. Break point again. Misses again, Djokovic with another wild, wild shot. That one missed the stadium. Djokovic shaking his head, confused, Nadal all business as always.Now advantage Nadal, now deuce (that's the fourth deuce of the game), now advantage Nadal, now deuce (that's five)... Nadal changing tactic with his first serve and instead of searching for the corners jams one into Djokovic's body, too tight to return. advantage. Rafael nadal holds and Djokovic will be kicking himself as he had a couple of chances and missed wide again in that last point. Nadal wins the game.
Set 1, game 5, Djokovic serving: No issues with the first two points of the game then Nadal went tight on the baseline for the return of serve and it pas off with a winner across court. Wheels, wheels, are those wheels coming off the Djokovic game... his feet are all over the place. He may have an injury that's affecting his play as Nadal evens it up 30-30. The Djokovic smashes it down the middle for his third ace. And that's backed up by an unforced cross court forehand from the Serb. Deuce. HOW DID NADAL WIN THAT? Remarkable, absolutely remarkable as somehow Nadal gets back into a point he was well out of for advantage. Video up. Break point. First serve, long. Second serve... nadal shocker who tries to rush a backhand winner in. Deuce. Ace, advantage back with serve. First serve looks to have hit the line, called out... well out... loses a challenge. Another unforced error from Djokovic, way too long sets up deuce. he's struggling a touch for sure. A 20 stroke rally ends with Nadal finishing it down the line. Break point again. He breaks. Nadal wins game, breaks serve.
Set 1, Game 4, Nadal serving: Djokovic calls one long... 2mm out and Djokovic leads 0-15. The old serve and volley gets things square, 15-all for Nadal. Nice wee wicked sliding serve there. Longest rally of the match ends with a Nadal slam. Video up. That was great all round tennis but the big things to come out of that is a slight limp from Djokovic... ohh, he rolled his right ankle. Nadal seizes the chance and uses hi 'go to' serve right down the T for 40-15. Holds serve easy, only dropped one point on serve so far. Nadal wins game.
Set 1, Game 3, Djokovic serving: Nadal gets things off on the right foot as Djokovic throws up unforced error number five. Misses with his first serve... Nadal down the line for 0-30. Video up . Djokovic with an ace... no, the challenge comes in from Nadal but it's in. Back to back points for the Serbian, 30-30. This time Djokovic with the forehand winner down the line. Video up . We're on serve early in the final. Djokovic wins game.
Set 1, Game 2, Nadal serving: The Spanish player has the ball and he wants to start well... right down the line for the first ace of the match. Not a bad first up effort. Video up soon. Djokovic hits the net in the next rally - he's found the top inches of it three times so far, 30-0. Easy game to Nadal with Djokovic unable to return the serve - long both times. Nadal wins game.
Set 1, Game 1, Djokovic serving: Not a seat spare in Rod Laver Arena....$2.3 million Australian to the winner... classic start with the first serve in and Nadal ending up too long after a decent first up rally, 15-0. Video up. Missed the first serve and then sends down a popper that rears up, Nadal well to return it and Djokovic hits the net. Nadal nearly scores down the line but Djokovic gets to it, returns but his next return hits the net unforced. Then comes a winner from the Open champion with a stunning forehand that has too much lightning on it for Nadal, 30-all. Again Nadal goes hard at the ball trying to get the top-spin going but he's long again with the same shot as the first point. Djokovic serving for the first game... massive kicker and Nadal struggles and flings a racquet at it. Djokovic holds.Djokovic wins game.
Djokovic has his left quad taped... the umpire has sounded the one minute warning.
The 100th Australian Open final is about to get going...
Great moment in sport right there with each player wishing the other good luck. Video up.
Players are now out on court and getting their racquets out... Djokovic in white and Nadal in his green with blue sweat bands... everyone is picking Nadal it seems with Djokovic's heavy breathing being the issue that will hamper him. Toss time - Djokovic will serve first.
And on to Rafael Nadal. Born in Spain he still lives in his birthplace of Manacor, Manorca. He is 1.85 metres tall and a touch under 86kg. He has over $US 45 million in career prize earnings and won the Australian Open in 2009 in seven appearances.
Okay for those that don't know a little about Novak Djokovic. He was born in Serbia, May 22, 1987 and lives in Monte carlo, Monaco. He is 1.88 metres tall and tips the scale at 80kg. He is the world No.1 and has nearly $US33 million in career earnings. He's played 7 Australian Open tournaments and won in 2008 and 2011.
Please be standing for the Aussie national anthem... no sign of the players yet.
It's been a fortnight of intense matches and you'd be hard pressed to find someone who isn't looking forward to the pinnacle... looks like about 15 minutes until we have some tennis. Rod Laver is full to the brim... no, actually just saw a few empty seats - obviously having a nervous one as you want to be seated and ready for this action from ball one.
The Australian Open Men's trophy is 'floating' it's way into the arena. Some greats of the game are transitioning the trophy to where it will sit while the tennis action heats up.
Half an hour until the epic grand final begins... after 14 days and 126 matches it comes down to this. The defending champion who has won the last two Grand Slam finals... and he's beaten Nadal in the last six encounters. It's going to be an uphill battle for the man from Spain.
There's a few scattered showers in Melbourne and the temperature is 35 degrees C (95 degrees F)...
The first serve is still a while away (not before 7.30pm Australian time, 9.30 NZ time) so in the meantime watch Nadal take Federer in four in the semifinal. Commentary will begin as the players walk out on court.
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Prematch banter
Tonight, defending champion Novak Djokovic takes on Rafael Nadal in a men's singles final featuring No. 1 vs. No. 2. Djokovic won three of the four majors last year and beat Nadal in six finals in 2011 among his 70 match wins for the season.
This clash is sure to be tight on the back of two gruelling semi-finals. Nadal has had the benefit of a 72 hour breather after dispatching Roger Federer, while Djokovic will battle fatigue and allergies on the back of a exhausting five-set marathon against Andy Murray.
Odds:
Novak Djokovic $1.67, Rafael Nadal $2.15
Australian Open 2012 form guide:
Novak Djokovic (1)
First Round - def. Paolo Lorenzi, 6-2, 6-0, 6-0.
Second Round - def. Santiago Giraldo, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.
Third Round - def. Nicolas Mahut, 6-0, 6-1, 6-1.
Fourth Round - def. Lleyton Hewitt, 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Quarterfinals - def. David Ferrer (5), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-1.
Semifinals - def. Andy Murray (4), 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 7-5.
Final - vs. Rafael Nadal (2).
Rafael Nadal (2)
First Round - def. Alex Kuznetsov, 6-4, 6-1, 6-1.
Second Round - def. Tommy Haas, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
Third Round - def. Lukas Lacko, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.
Fourth Round - def. Feliciano Lopez (18), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.
Quarterfinals - def. Tomas Berdych (7), 6-7 (5), 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-3.
Semifinals - def. Roger Federer (3), 6-7 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-4.
Final - vs. Novak Djokovic (1).
Live commentary – Match starts at 9:30pm NZT.
3 News/AP