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Top five longest men's singles matches at Australian Open

The Australian Open marks the commencement of the grand slam season, attracting the world's top players who compete in this prestigious tournament. Leading players typically arrive two weeks in advance to participate in several ATP tour events, allowing them to acclimatize to the local climate and playing conditions. Novak Djokovic currently holds the record for the most Australian Open titles, having secured victory 10 times.

The tournament has witnessed numerous thrilling matches throughout its history. In this article, let’s look at the five longest matches that have taken place at the Australian Open.

5. Rafael Nadal vs Fernando Verdasco, 2009 (5 hours and 14 minutes)

Rafael Nadal vs Fernando Verdasco, 2009 - Top five longest men's singles matches at Australian Open
Credits - Tennis.com

The Spanish legend triumphed in a challenging five-set match against fellow countryman Fernando Verdasco, with scores of 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (1), 6-4. Verdasco advanced to the semifinals after overcoming notable opponents, including Great Britain's Andy Murray, in the earlier rounds. The match was evenly poised at two sets apiece, but Rafael Nadal secured victory in the final set with a score of 6-4 without significant difficulty.

Fernando Verdasco required medical assistance during his match as he struggled with cramps, which extended beyond midnight. Subsequently, Rafael Nadal triumphed over Roger Federer in the finals, making history as the first Spaniard to secure the Australian Open title, marking his inaugural victory in a hardcourt Grand Slam event.

4. Ivo Karlovic vs Horacio Zeballos, 2017 (5 hours and 22 minutes)

Ivo Karlovic vs Horacio Zeballos, 2017 - Top five longest men's singles matches at Australian Open
Credits - Sky Sports

Ivo Karlovic, the 20th-seeded player from Croatia, triumphed over Horacio Zeballos in an exhausting five-set encounter, concluding with scores of 6-7(6), 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, and 22-20. Karlovic delivered an impressive total of 75 aces, setting a new record for the most aces in a single match at the Australian Open. Additionally, the final set featured 42 games, marking it as the longest in the tournament's history. The fifth set alone lasted two hours and 37 minutes, during which the 37-year-old Karlovic managed to break the Argentinian's serve in the 42nd game.

108 aces were served overall by Karlovic (75) and Zeballos (33). The five-set encounter featured 84 games, marking it as the highest number of games played in a single match at a Grand Slam event.

3. Rafael Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev, 2022 (5 hours and 24 minutes)

Rafael Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev, 2022 - Top five longest men's singles matches at Australian Open
Credits - Australian Open

Rafael Nadal faced Daniil Medvedev, the finalist of the 2021 Australian Open, in the finals. The Spanish player aimed to secure his second title at the Australian Open, having previously triumphed in 2009 against Roger Federer. Despite a challenging start, where Nadal lost the first two sets, he rallied impressively to claim victory in the subsequent three sets, finishing with scores of 2–6, 6–7(5–7), 6–4, 6–4, 7–5.

The title was special as Nadal was suffering from an injury for the past six months and did not play much tennis. This victory marked the Spaniard's 21st Grand Slam title, making him the first athlete to surpass the 20-slam milestone.

2. Andy Murray vs Thanasi Kokkinakis, 2023 (5 hours and 45 minutes)

Andy Murray vs Thanasi Kokkinakis, 2023 - Top five longest men's singles matches at Australian Open
Credits - Tennis.com

Andy Murray, the three-time Grand Slam champion from Great Britain, won in a challenging second-round match against local favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis, winning in five sets with scores of 4-6, 6-7(7), 7-6(5), 6-3, 7-5. In the first round, Murray had already secured a victory over the 13th seed Matteo Berrettini after a grueling 4 hours and 45 minutes of play. This second-round encounter marked his consecutive five-set match, commencing at approximately 11:00 PM and concluding at 4:06 AM local time.

Murray staged a remarkable comeback after losing the first two sets, ultimately securing victory by winning the subsequent three sets. Over the past three years, he has faced numerous injuries, leading many to speculate about his potential retirement. However, the Scottish international overcame these challenges and triumphed in the match, advancing to the third round.

1. Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal, 2012 (5 hours and 53 minutes)

Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal, 2012 - Top five longest men's singles matches at Australian Open
Credits - Tennis.com

The 2012 Australian Open final, contested between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, holds the record for the longest match in the tournament's history. Djokovic, who was the top-ranked player at the time, won over the second-ranked Nadal with a score of 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7, 7–5. This match not only marked Djokovic's victory in the tournament but also became the longest major final in history, with a duration of 5 hours and 53 minutes, surpassing the previous record set during the 1998 US Open final between Mats Wilander and Ivan Lendl.

The Serbian reached the final after competing in a grueling semifinal match against Andy Murray, which extended for 4 hours and 50 minutes.

Cover Credits - Tennis Majors

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