The tennis fans across the globe could not have asked for a better final in the title match for the crown of Australian Open this year. The Rod Laver arena in Melbourne is all set to witness a thrilling encounter between two champions of the game- Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
They have already turned in eight finals in one of the sport’s first four biggest stages. Both the Tennis greats met first at Miami Open in 2004 where Nadal had beaten Federer to emerge a new sensation of the game.
If Federer wins, he’ll add an 18th Grand Slam trophy to his career record total, putting distance between himself and his rivals. If Nadal wins his 15th, he’ll pass Pete Sampras for sole possession of second place on the all-time list.
Nadal has dominated Federer in their head-to-head match-ups—he has a 23-11 record overall and has won nine of their 11 matches in Grand Slams. It would be really interesting to see that who comes to be crowned as the new Champion in Australia.
Also Read | Australian Open 2017: Roger Federer defeats Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6 and 6-3 to clinch Men's Single title
Here are the live updates from the match:
# Federer clinches his 18th Grand Slam title def. Nadal 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3
Nadal blinks first. Championship point for Federer
# Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 5-3 Nadal
An ace saves one.
# One. Game. Away. Federer breaks for *5-3 and will serve for the match.
# Three becomes two. Two becomes one. And one becomes none.
Rafael Nadal ratchets up the pressure, Federer having few answers. He shanks a backhand on the final break point as Nadal drags it back to deuce...
# Three break points for Federer*Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 4-3 Nadal
# Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 3-3 Nadal
How are we doing out there? The heart-rate going up?
# The RLA crowd goes absolutely wild as Federer breaks for *3-3 in the 5th.
# Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 2-3 Nadal
Federer keeps hanging in there by his fingernails. His will be gone, mine have gone, yours have gone. We're all down to the bone.
# Nadal saves another break point *Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 1-3 Nadal
# Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 1-2 Nadal
Rafa cruises into a 30-0 lead, then brings a few concerned groans when he double faults. That's only his second of the match - pressure. And then Federer pounces.
# Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 1-2 Nadal
Federer simply cannot go a double break down. He doesn't. A love hold keeps the Swiss in touch and what is most remarkable is the ease with which he does it.
# Things are close in the fifth set. Nadal has broken Federer and now trying to hold serve AusOpen
# Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 0-1 Nadal*
This is starting to look ominous for Federer. Nadal's power see him take the first point - but hang on!
# Nadal breaksFederer 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 0-1 Nadal*
Fed's missus Mirka looks tense as her beau goes 0-30 down, only to see him roar back to 15-30 when he leaps in to a crunching forehand. But that is good as it gets.
# Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 0-0 Nadal
Here he is! Roger Federer saunters back out, wiping his mouth with a towel. Wonder what the problem was? Was there even a problem?
# Nadal commands the 4th set, serving it out at love. Ladies and gentlemen, we're heading to a 5th...
# Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 2-5 Nadal
What Rafa wants is a routine hold. And that's what he gets. Federer manages to stick his strings on the ball in the first three points, but not with any great conviction.
# Early break in the 4th set ---> Nadal. He consolidates for a 4-1* lead.
# Crunch. Rafa breaks. The 14-time Slam champion can't take the first chance, he makes no mistake with the second.
# Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 1-1 Nadal
Rafa's slither of hope lasts a few seconds, another brilliant backhand down the line from Fed seals the deal.
# Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 1-1 Nadal
*Rafa's slither of hope lasts a few seconds, another brilliant backhand down the line from Fed seals the deal.
# Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 0-0 Nadal
Nadal beckons the ball boy over grabbing a couple as he prepares to get this fourth set rock'n'rolling.
# Federer bites back in spectacular fashion, taking the 3rd set v Nadal 6-1.
# Deuce
*Federer 6-4 3-6 5-1 Nad
An instant challenge from Federer - you get a feel for these things after 17 Grand Slams - takes it to 15-15, before Nadal slams his forehand wide.
# Federer breaks *Federer 6-4 3-6 5-1 Nadal
# The four-time champ holds at love to further his 3rd set lead to 4-1
# Federer 6-4 3-6 3-1 Nadal. Stunning from Rafa, a hammered backhand winner that Fed can't get near. Nadal darts to the net, he dinks it over, and he's saved the break points
# The silky smooth Federer backhand v the buggy-whip Nadal forehand.
# A big fist pump from Federer as he grabs his first break chance in the 3rd set for a quick 2-0 lead.
# Federer holds the 1st game of the 3rd set after 10 minutes Aus Open
# Nadal takes the second set in style. 6-3 it was. Both players levelled 1-1 in the match.
# He has done it. This shows the level of competition between the two greats. High-intensity game. Nadal takes the second set.
# Hail Rafa. Vamos Rafa. Well done Rafa. Just one game away from taking the second set. Second set 5-2 now.
# Now Federer has a break, he is showing it why he is a true champion of the game. Its 4-2 now.
# It was tough, but Federer made it look easier with that shot. Finally a game for Roger in the second set. It's 4-1 now.
# Rafa on a roll. Takes the 4th game of the set as well, making it really tough for Federer to hold his serve.
# Rafael Nadal pulls through a tough service game! Converting breaks points has been a challenge for Federer. Its 3-0 now.
# More than 14,000 spectators at the Rod Laver arena in Melbourne and its electrifying.
# Rafa breaks Federer service for the first time in the match to make it 2-0 lead in second set.
# Great start for Nadal in the second set. Takes first game with ease. Its 1-0
# Roger Federer is 9-6 against Rafael Nadal when he wins the first set
# First set done and dusted.
# 4 Ace point in the match and set goes to Federer. 6-4 it was.
# Such a sheer quality match. Federer showing his premium class here. Takes first set of the match in style. FedEx is 1 up in match.
# Nadal is fighting back. Some really good shots and the Spaniard takes his 4th game of the set. Makes it 5-4.
# Roger Federer on fire. Takes another game. 2 Ace point and the momentum is up. Its now 5-3 at this moment.
# First blood has been drawn. breaks to lead 4-3.
# Such great reflexes from both Nadal and Federer. High-intensity match. Both players neck to neck with 3 games each in the first set.
# Great start to the match. Both players gain another equal game after 4 games in the first set. It's 2-2 now.
# When it comes to court time Federer certainly has the upper hand
# Both players hold their first service game
# Here. We. Go. One of the greatest match in the history of Tennis has now started.
# The players are out at the Rod Laver Arena. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on the field.
# The match is about the start, anticipations already high.
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