Australian Open final LIVE: Rafael Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev tennis result and latest updates

Nadal into the net with a crosscourt backhand. He has produced twice as many unforced errors on his backhand compared to Medvedev so far. 20 vs 10.

The forehand is working though. Nadal finishes his opponent off with a fizzing shot into the open part of the court. 15-15.

Nadal claims a long rally and then finds a big serve to move 40-15 in front as the match ticks into its fourth hour.

Have we got much longer? Nadal hopes so as he closes out the game.

Rafa still believes. But does anyone else?

The crowd are urging, pushing, willing Nadal on here as Medvedev goes long with a forehand at the start of the seventh game of this set.

A timely ace from Medvedev takes it to 15-15. And a really laboured forehand finds the middle of the net from Nadal.

Medvedev becoming irritated by the ball boys and girls. But he’s not showing that anger during the points - only as a form of encouragement.

Oh but there’s a massive miss from Medvedev! He forces Nadal to stretch for a volley at the net but then sends a backhand into the net with the open court to aim at! 30-30.

And a forehand finds the line as the Russian secures the game. Nadal playing catch-up again.

Medvedev goes just a little too long with another backhand down the line. He’ll be furious that he’s missed that one. Advantage Nadal.

Nadal goes for the serve-volley but Medvedev reads it every day of the week and twice on a Sunday. He finds the simple passing shot and we’re back to deuce.

The pair slug it out at the back of the court and Nadal comes out on top as Medvedev flicks a forehand beyond the baseline.

And a 21-shot rally seals the hold for Nadal! It really is a slugfest from the back of the court as Medvedev looks for a way past the Spaniard but he can’t find it. He eventually goes long on the stretch. Level again in the third.

Medvedev grabs the first point of the game as Nadal goes wide with a forehand down the line. And there’s a carbon copy! Another unforced error as he goes for the winner. 0-30.

The backhand down the line is too good from Medvedev! Nadal was equal to a Medvedev lob but not the gunshot backhand.

Three break points.

Drop shot winner from Nadal. One saved.

A backhand goes long from Medvedev. Two saved. One break point remaining for the Russian.

Third saved! Medvedev comes to the net but Nadal is equal to it and the Spaniard’s deft dink is put into the net by the Russian.

Deuce.

Three games away from the Australian Open title.

Medvedev’s defence is ridiculous. He keeps the rally going despite a perfect forehand from Nadal and ends up on the front foot, finishing things off with a winner of his own.

Three rapid points see the Russian close out the game in swift fashion.

What would Rod Laver do if he was in Nadal’s position? Could he pull this back? On his own court?!

Some fans walking around in Nadal’s eyeline as he looks to start is service game. We are made to wait a good 30 seconds as they take off their bags, get comfortable, and ensure the beers are still cold. Irritating.

Eventually we are back underway and Nadal begins with a textbook volley at the net.

Medvedev sends a straightforward forehand into the net for 40-0, but then wins a point with a less than straightforward return which Nadal cannot control on the volley.

An unforced error from Nadal brings up 40-30.

But there’s the game! Medvedev is outdone by the Nadal forehand and we are back level in the third set. A quicker than usual service game for the Spaniard.

It doesn’t help that Nadal is serving second in this set. He will constantly feel as though he is playing catch up. And given he is two sets down, that could play a part psychologically.

He needs to eradicate those feelings if he is to get a foothold back in the match. Serving at 1-2 down in the third.