MELBOURNE // Rafael Nadal played an unforgettable match against compatriot and close friend Fernando Verdasco to get into the Australian Open final for the first time. But the fact he played five sets to get there, coupled with having a day less than his final opponent Roger Federer to recuperate, means he may find it tougher to beat his rival.
The world No 1 admits he has an uphill climb. "I don't know how I'm going to be for the final," Nadal said yesterday. "I'm going to try my best to recover my body and my physical performance but after a match like this, the next day you feel much heavier." No Spaniard has won the Australian Open and Nadal's chances of winning this time were not helped by his five hour, 14 minute semi-final on Friday night, the longest match played here.
Federer, however, said that did not give him any real advantage against his super-fit rival. "I don't think it's going to affect Rafa that much. He's had easy matches going into his semi," he said. The former champion though is on a quest to gain tennis immortality. If he wins today, the Swiss master will equal Pete Sampras's record of 14 grand slam singles titles and enhance his claims to being the greatest player.
But Nadal - however tired he may be - has beaten Federer in 12 of their last 18 meetings, including three French Open finals and the 2008 Wimbledon final, an epic five-setter. And he is five years younger. Besides, Nadal last year ended Federer's record of 237 consecutive weeks as the world's top-ranked player, adding revenge to all the other ingredients in what promises to be a classic confrontation at Melbourne Park.
"It's an unbelievable opportunity for me, not being No 1 any more, trying to beat the No 1 and getting the 14th grand slam," Federer said. "This is where I won the grand slam to become No 1, back in 2004, so I've always had a special liaison with this tournament. The stage is set for a great match." Federer's rivalry with Nadal is already one of the greatest match-ups in tennis, although the pair are a complete contrast in style.
Today's clash will be their seventh meeting in a grand slam final, matching the record of Bill Tilden and William Johnston at the US Open between 1919 and 1925. "It is special to play against Federer but to play final of a grand slam [against him] is more exciting," Nadal said. "I'd prefer another opponent but that's what makes the sport big, finals like this." But for that, Nadal will need to rest as much as he can afford.
Meanwhile, the newly-crowned women's champion Serena Williams said she knew she had her destiny in her hands after just three games of her final against Dinara Safina. Williams beat a nervous Safina 6-0, 6-3 to win her 10th grand slam title. "I felt like I was in control from the third game," Williams, the new No 1, said. "I felt like I was in control from my serve. I always try to hold serve when I start out. When she lost serve in her opening game after having a few chances to hold, I got confident off that."
Safina admitted feeling the pressure. "The whole tournament I was struggling with my serve," a disappointed Safina said. * With agencies
