Melburne: The rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal can already be compared to the greatest in the history of the game. Like John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg, or Pete Sampras versus Andre Agassi.
The latest chapter of this ongoing saga will unfold on Sunday in the final of the men's singles at the Australian Open.
It took a titanic effort from Nadal to book his place for this summit clash. He was kept on court for nearly five and a half hours by fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in a thrilling semi-final, leaving many to wonder if Nadal has much gas left in the tank to overcome Federer.
"So for sure Roger going to be in much better performance physically than me for the final. But at the same time I going to try to recover for the final and play my best. I don't know if we can do something," said Nadal after his thrilling five-set win over Verdasco.
Federer on the other hand has more than just another Grand Slam final to win.
A fourth Australian Open title will put him level with Sampras's record of 14 Grand Slam titles.
Despite having tasted defeat at Nadal's hands at the French and Wimbledon finals last year, Federer is excited about locking horns with him.
"Playing Rafa is obviously, you know, more exciting because of the history we have playing in so many Grand Slam finals. Him being the best player in the world at the moment, it would make it a very intriguing match," said Federer.
Nadal leads the head to head between the players 12-6, but history will count for nothing on a day history beckons the modern era's greatest players.
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