Nadal opens up the court, and Medvedev obliges with a cross-court forehand!

Break point to the Russian...

Fine defence from Medvedev but he's outmuscled by Nadal, before the point is killed off with the gentlest of dabs at the net.

Oh! Medvedev produces an outstanding low forehand to pass Nadal, and we go to 30-30 as Nadal just drifts a backhand into the tape.

Andrew Castle
BBC Sport tennis commentator at the O2 Arena

It's getting a bit tense. It's just been a series of skirmishes all the way through this contest, there is no discernible pattern.

Ooh, a wayward forehand miss from Nadal, who isn't best pleased, and Medvedev crashes down an ace out wide to wrap things up.

Image source, Getty Images

A slight grimace from Nadal after he blasts a forehand at Medvedev, but there's more than enough energy in the tank for him to chase down a drop shot and draw the error out of Medvedev.

From 40-15, we're at deuce.

Andrew Castle
BBC Sport tennis commentator at the O2 Arena

That was real cat and mouse stuff - but I wasn't sure who was the cat and who was the mouse!

Medvedev chases down a Nadal drop shot and lifts it long.

Advantage Nadal - and he holds thanks to a big serve.

A delightful volley at the net sets up a bttle of the backhand slices and it's Nadal who wins with an outstanding strike down the line, upping his pace and bursting through Medvedev's defences. What a shot.

Oh, and then Medvedev produces an excellent return of serve to pass Nadal as he charges to the net!

Deuce.

For the first time in the match, Nadal fluffs a volley at the net. He covers his eyes with his hand, utterly appalled at himself.

Still, he's in this game. Medvedev nets a forehand for 30-30 before a miss down the line from Nadal and a huge first serve wrap things up.

Medvedev misses a couple of easy forehands as the clock ticks over to the two hour mark, before Nadal drives a backhand of his own long for 40-30.

A big, booming serve out wide hurries Nadal to a hold.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

It's quite a battle now, a mental one as well as a physical one.

Gosh, Medvedev has a good serve.

Ace number 11 takes him to a 40-0 lead and he holds with ease.

A thumping serve gives Nadal the advantage, and Medvedev nets to ensure the Spaniard gets on the board.

Image source, getty

Nice! Nadal trusts in his movement to the net and wins the point, with Medvedev unable to pass him.

Deuce.

Trouble brewing...

An early break point for Medvedev as an uppish Nadal forehand goes long.

Nadal gesticulates to himself as he plants an easy backhand into the net.

Whatever he's said must have worked as he wins a superb battle at the net, his quick hands meeting everthing Medvedev throws at him before the Russian nets a volley.

30-15.

Rafa's back from his bathroom break, mask firmly in place.

He'll serve to get the third set under way.

Hello, deciding set!

Image source, Getty Images

OOFT!

Nadal sends a furious, spinning, speedy forehand well past Medvedev.

Two set points to go.

What a ridiculous shot. Medvedev slips and looks as though he's hooked a forehand wide but, somehow, manages to get the ball to land behind Nadal.

A quick serve rushes Medvedev in front and to three set points.