Sports

Nadal wins 21st Grand Slam title

Published

4 years ago

2022/01/31

Rafael Nadal took all-time ownership of the record for men’s Grand Slam singles titles as the Spaniard earned his record 21st major crown with an extraordinary 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 come-from-behind victory over Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open men’s singles final at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.

Nadal looked down and out after dropping the opening two sets, but steeled himself to snap a three-way tie with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on 20 major singles titles, winning the match in five hours and 24 minutes.

Thirteen years since he denied Federer on Rod Laver Arena, the 35-year-old became just the fourth man in the open era to capture every major twice following a remarkable 2-6 6-7(5) 6-4 6-4 7-5 victory.

It was his first comeback from two sets down in a major final and first at any stage of a Grand Slam since the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2007.

“I know it’s a tough moment, Daniil. You’re an amazing champion. I’ve been in this position a couple of times trying to have the trophy with me,” Nadal said. “It has been one of the most emotional nights in my tennis career, and to share the court with you is just an honour.

“For me it’s just amazing. A month-and-a-half ago I didn’t know if I’d be back and today I’m back here with you holding this trophy.”

Nadal admitted serious conversations had been held within his team about whether he could ever compete at the highest level again following a chronic footy injury.

An unprecedented 21st major, his first since Roland-Garros in 2020, gave the Spaniard the outright lead over his great rivals Federer and Djokovic for the first time.

“What you did today I was amazed. During the match I tried to play tennis but after the match I asked him ‘Are you tired?’,” Medvedev said. “You raised your level after two sets for the 21st Grand Slam… you’re an amazing champion. Congrats. It was unbelievable.

“I’m going to try to be better next time.”

Three years ago, Medvedev played up to the role as the Flushing Meadows villain, but won over a new legion of fans when he surged back from a two-set deficit only to fall narrowly short to Nadal.

Medvedev was under no illusion he would have it easy winning over a crowd intent on seeing one of the greats stand triumphant for the first time since 2009 on the final Sunday at Melbourne Park.

He cared not for sentiment though and a 136km/h backhand winner down the line was a warning sign he was taking the early initiative.

Sweat-soaked in the heat of battle on a humid summer’s night, the Spaniard was desperate to stem the flow when he rushed the net only to push a forehand volley wide.

It handed the Russian a 5-2 lead and he landed the set in 42 minutes.

Where Nadal’s heavy, higher-kicking blows typically proved so effective at wearing down challengers, Medvedev represented the modern prototype, a 1.98m tormentor with seamless movement and exceptional baseline consistency.

He was a formidable prospect, particularly on hard courts, and the sixth seed was under the pump.

Despite landing little more than half his first deliveries and spending more than twice as long on serve, Nadal was hanging tough.

His first break point arrived via a punishing 40-shot rally, ended on a backhand drop-shot winner, and he brought the crowd to its feet two points later when he opened up a 3-1 lead.

A set point slid by in a 12-minute battle on serve and, having survived Felix Auger-Aliassime from match point down in in a four-hour-plus quarterfinal, Medvedev was emboldened.

Thirty minutes later, he held a two-set advantage.

It was a sizeable summit for Nadal from here.

Not since a round of 16 clash against Mikhail Youzhny at the All England Club 15 years ago had he recovered from two sets down in a major.

With the pair locked at 4-all in the fourth, a first sniff of a chance arose.

A bold attempt off a poor drop shot backfired badly on Medvedev when it caught the net cord.

It proved pivotal as Nadal capitalised and after three hours and 12 minutes, Rod Laver Arena erupted when the 35-year-old landed the third set.

Medvedev’s woes were only mounting.

As the match passed the four-hour mark, Nadal appeared physically fresher of the two and 14 minutes later, the contest was all square.

A forehand winner to break at two-all in the decider came as a telling blow to his opponent’s fading hopes.

Twice before Nadal had led a break in the deciding set of an Australian Open final only to lose with victory in sight – to Djokovic in 2012 and to Federer in 2017.

It was an ominous sign when he failed to serve out the match at the first time of asking.

But Medvedev was unable to carry the fleeting momentum any further.

After five hours and 28 minutes Nadal had completed one of his greatest triumphs against extraordinary odds.

That number, 21, had never seemed further but had a sounded pretty sweet as it rang around Rod Laver Arena.

“All the support I have received since I arrived here, you are just amazing,” Nadal said. “Without a doubt, probably one of the most emotional ones in my tennis career.

“Having the huge support I received in those three weeks will stay in my heart the rest of my life.”

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India A stretch lead to 170 after Sai Sudharsan retires hurt

Published

6 mins ago

2026/06/27

Priyan

Auqib Nabi bagged four wickets [SLC]

India suffered a potential injury scare ahead of the Test series in Sri Lanka, with their No.3 B Sai Sudarshan retiring hurt on 7 while playing for India A against Sri Lanka A during the third day of the first four-dayer in Galle. After scoring a century in the first innings, Sai Sudharsan retired hurt in the fourth over of India A’s second innings. By the end of the day’s play, however, India A had stretched their lead to 170.

Chhattisgarh opener Aayush Pandey and Devdutt Padikkal were unbeaten on 20 each at stumps.

India A had claimed a first-innings lead of 122 after dismissing Sri Lanka A for 330 in their first innings. Resuming from an overnight 113 for 2, they were guided by half-centuries from captain Sahan Arachchige (72) and Ashen Bandara (70). Nuwandi Fernando, who had passed his own fifty on day two, had his innings cut short on 84 on day three.

For India A, Auqib Nabi, who was the top wicket taker in the previous Ranji Trophy season and was a net bowler during India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, was the pick of the bowlers, returning 4 for 58 in 19.4 overs. Sri Lanka A lost their last five wickets for 30 runs, with Nabi taking four of those.

Left-arm fingerspin-bowling allrounder Harsh Dubey and Vidarbha fast bowler Yash Thakur picked up two wickets apiece. India A then closed out the day on 48 for 0.

Scores:
India A 48 for 0 in 17 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 20*, Ayush Pandey 20*) and 452 for 6 dec in 111.4 overs [Sai Sudarshan 132, Dhruv Jurel 141, Shaik Rasheed 63; Chamika Gunasekera 3-64, Dilum Sudeera 2-143] lead Sri Lanka A 330 in 101.4 overs (Nuwanidu Fernando 84, Ashen Bandara 70, Sahan Arachchige 72; Aaqib Nabi 4-58, YashThakur 2-51, Harsh Dubey 2-84) by 170 runs

[Cricinfo]

Latest News

T20 World Cup: Scotland miss out as eight teams secure automatic spots for 2028

Published

23 mins ago

2026/06/27

Priyan

Sri Lanka's win against Scotland completed the group of eight teams [Cricinfo]

Teams that finished in the top four of each group at the ongoing T20 World Cup have secured their spots for the next edition of the tournament in 2028. From Group 1, Australia, India, South Africa and Bangladesh have qualified. England, West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka join them from Group 2. Pakistan qualified as a result of being the tournament hosts; they finished fifth in the Group 2 table with just one win in five games.

Scotland missed out on a chance to directly qualify for the 12-team ICC event after losing to Sri Lanka on Friday.

The 10th spot will go to the next highest-ranked team on the T20I rankings table at the July 6, 2026 cut-off. As it stands, Ireland, ranked ninth, fill that spot. The remaining two places will be determined through a 10-team global qualifier, which will be supported by regional qualifiers.

Netherlands, ranked 14th, are likely to have to play in the qualifier to make the main event. So too Scotland (11th) and Ireland (9th) if they fall too far down the table.

The ICC also made a decision on the composition of teams at the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy, to be held next year in Sri Lanka. The hosts will be joined by the top five teams on the T20I rankings at the same July 6 cut-off. As it stands, the teams at the tournament will be Australia, England, India, New Zealand and South Africa.

[Cricinfo]

Sports

Maliban Biscuits and Peoples Leasing PLC qualify for CDB-MCA T10 Tier B final

Published

5 hours ago

2026/06/27

Priyan

A three wicket haul from Dilip Sandaruwan and notable contributions from Mohamed Shilmi [47] and Chathurabga Dewapriya [30] helped Maliban Biscuits defeat HNB Assurance by seven wickets while power hitting by Chathra Anuradha [50] and Isuru Gunasekera [39] eclipsed an unbeaten 70 off 20 balls from Isuru Jasinghe to help Peoples Leasing PLC defeat Hayleys Group B by seven wickets to qualify for the Tier B final of the CDB sponsored MCA T10 Cricket Tournament to be played under lights at the CCC ground on Sunday [28].

In the quarter-finals played at the MCA ground, HNB Assurance edged out HNB by 25 runs while an unbeaten 47 from Mohamed Shilmi helped Maliban Biscuits defeat English Tea Shop by five wickets.

At the D S Senannayaka College ground Peoples Leasing defeated Camera LK by eight wickets while Hayleys defeated Power Hand Plantations by five wickets to qualify for the semis.

At the MCA Grounds:

Quarterfinals:

HNB Assurance edge out HNB by 25 runs
HNB Assurance 112/7 in 10 overs [Dulanjana Wijesinghe 46, Linal Subasinghe 38*; Mahen Silva 4-19, Ikram Razik 2-17, Thushan Udayanga 1-19]
HNB 87/5 in 10 overs [Dinesh Panditharathne 29, Ashen Fernando 17, Jeyakumar Kishanthujan 20, Ikram Razick 12; Chamod Piyumal 18, Linal Subasinghe 1-17, Taaariq Naziar 1-15, Dulanjana Wijesinghe 2-25]

Shilmi propels Maliban Biscuits to 5 wicket win
English Tea Shop 66/8 in10 overs [Lahiru Gamage 10, Semila Liyanage 26; Chathuranga Dewapriya 1-13, Chamara Rathnayake 2-06]
Maliban Biscuits 72/5 in 9.2 overs [Mohomad Shilmi 47*, Tharindu Siriwardena 10; Gaveen Gunarathna 1-13, Semila Liyanage 1-15, Ramesh Fernando 2-14]

Semifinal

Sandaruwan, Shilmi and Chathuranga propel Maliban Biscuits to 7 wicket win and the final
HNB Assurance 93/5 in 10 overs [Lahiru Sithpriya 26, DasunAbeywardena 27, Pasindu Pathum 24*, Tharindu Guruge 12; Dilan chathuranga 1-15, Dilip Sandaruwan 3-17, Chamara Rathnayaka 1-33]
Maliban Biscuits 94/3 in 7.overs [Mohammed Shilmi 47, Chathuranga Dewapriya 30; Chamod Piyumal 2-19]

At the D S Senanayake College grounds:

Quarterfinals:

Esitha and Arjuna power Peoples Leasing to semis
Camera LK 128/4 in 10 overs [Anjana Orton 23, Anushka Gunasinghe 45, Kasun Madushanka 18, Sineth Malwattage 31*; Ruwan Fernando 1-29, Arjuna Perera 2-22]
Peoples Leasing PLC 129/2 in 8.0 overs [Esitha Gimhana 67*, Isuru Gunasekera 12, Arjuna Perera 34*; Anushka Gunasinghe 1-37, Anjana Orton 1-30]

Hayleys defeat Power Hand Plantations by 5 wickets
Power Hand Plantations 87/10 in 10 overs [Kasun Vidura 20*, Hirusha Dulanja 15, Sanjeewa Dalpathadu 24; Sanuja Niduwara 2-07, Senal de Silva 2-15, Vanith de Silva 1-17, Daham Nirmal 1-12]
Hayleys Group ‘B’ 88/5 in 9.1 overs [Kashyapa Dissanayake 22, Jithesh Wasala 12, SanujaNiduwqra 21, Yasiru Jasinghe 20*; Tharindu Silva 1-34, Waruna Mayantha 2-03, Pasindu Munasinghe 2-07]

Semifinal

Peoples Leasing overcome Hayleys Group ‘B’ by seven wickets
Hayleys Group ‘B’ 125/5 in 10 overs[Lahiru Dawatage 31, Ryan Fernando 11, Yasiru Jasinghe 70*; Sanath Dasanayake 1-20, Ruwan Fernando 1-18,Arrokkiyanathar Vinoshan 1-10]
Peoples Leasing PLC 126/3 in 9.2 overs [Chathura Anuradha 50, Isuru Gunasekera 39, Arrokiyanathar Vinoshan 22*; Kashyapa Dissanayake 1-08, Ryan Fernando 1-25, Yasiru Jasinghe 1-12]