World No. 5 Rafael Nadal has finally become the undisputed leader of the Grand Slam winners pack as he left behind his long-time rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer to win a record-extending 21st major title at the Australian Open on Sunday.
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The Spaniard kept the World No. 2 at bay despite being losing the first 2 sets. Nadal in his 6th Australian final brought down the 25-year-old Russian ace 2-6,6-7,6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in a grueling final that lasted for 5 hours 24 mins to lift his second Australian Open title after 2009. On the other hand, the US Open Champion lost his 2nd consecutive Australian Open final.
After Novak Djokovic, the Spaniard who was seeded 6th at the year’s first Grand Slam event is now only the 2nd man to win all 4 Grand Slams twice in his career. Djoko and Roger Federer who did not participate in this year’s Aus Open remain tied at 20 Grand Slams each.