Sports

Nadal makes history and advances to Final - Australian Open

by mazevedo | January 30, 2009 at 09:29 am

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Rafael Nadal outlasted fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in a thrilling five-set semifinal on Friday at the Australian Open to set up a dream final with Roger Federer in the first Grand Slam of 2009.

What was so historic about the event however was that it was a 5 hour and 14 minutes game in order for Nadal to advance to the finals. That makes history as the longest match in Australian Open history.

Federer which will be facing Nadal in the final championship match beat his opponent in only 2 hours and 7 minutes, and has also one more they of rest before Sunday's Final. Is stamina going to play a big factor for this upcoming match what are your thoughts?

Federer will appear in his 79th career final, seeking a 58th title. His only losses in Grand Slam finals have come against Nadal -- three times at the French Open and once at Wimbledon.

Nadal has an amazing mark of 31-8 in finals, including 5-2 in Grand Slam title matches. His only two losses came against Federer at Wimbledon in 2006 and 2007.

Sunday's champion will collect over $1.3 million.