The Longest Match

In the longest Grand Slam final match in history; World Nos. 1 & 2 Novak Djokovic & Rafael Nadal played out an absorbing 6-hour epic for the ages; in the 2012 Australian Open final.

With both players at the top of their form; and still relatively young at 24 & 25 years of age respectively; much was expected of this final; and it did not disappoint. The fact that Nadal had lost the last 6 against Djokovic only added to the enthrallment.

The most notable point of this match was the momentum swings. Nadal may have shaded the first set; but it was Djokovic who went on the attack in the next two; controlling the match and moving Nadal around on the baseline. In the fourth; with his back against the wall; it was Nadal who came up with the fist-pumping and nerve-inducing tie-break win to move it to a totemic fifth.

And there; it was Nadal who seemed to hold the aces; as a visibly wilting Djokovic seemed almost unable to stand. Unable to finish off his rival at the critical moment though; it was the Serb who produced one last-ditch effort to seal a memorable triumph.