Live text - Federer v Nadal

Australian Open

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R FEDERER (SWi) v R NADAL (Spa)

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LATEST ACTION (all times GMT)

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By Caroline Cheese

0847: "I expected Nadal to win the tournament, but I've wavered over the last few days. I don't think the semi-final is a factor. He's the fittest guy on the circuit and the rest of his route through has been quite comfortable. But in the last three matches, the length of Nadal's forehand and backhand has got shorter and he's almost reverting back to his clay-court style of game."
BBC Sport's John Lloyd

0845: Now Chris Bailey tells us that Roger Federer had to climb 20 flights of stairs to his hotel room on Friday because of the powercut. That should level things up nicely after Rafa had to play his five-hour semi-final a day later than Fed.

0843: Rafa wins the toss and elects to receive I think. The Spaniard does his trademark darting sprint down to the baseline and the warm-up is under way. Cracking atmosphere inside Rod Laver Arena.

0842: The BBC's John Inverdale reports that Roger Federer was watching Rafa's semi-final against Fernando Verdasco at a restaurant on Friday when there was a massive powercut and he was forced to jump into a taxi and return to Rod Laver Arena to catch the end.

0839: Equally raucous welcome for both players as they march on to court. Federer is his usual super-cool self, Rafa, as usual, a bundle of energy, jogging up and down in the tunnel as he waits to enter the arena.

0838: And now Rafa: "It's tough after the match two days ago but this is the final of a Grand Slam and for sure I will try my best. It's going to be exciting playing against Roger. I hope to play well and try my best."

0837: Pre-match interview time. "I think it's the first time playing the number one in the world in a Grand Slam final so that's a new thing for me," says Rog. "Obviously the history books are right there in front of me. I'm playing my biggest rival so I'm excited."

0836: "Federer Your My Hero" says another banner. Someone give that girl an apostrophe.

0834: "I've taken the day off work as I'm fully expecting Fedex to cover to my losses with an emphatic victory. Come on Fed!"
Tristan via text on 81111
Has Rog promised you a slice of the prize money then?

0831: "If there's lessons to be learned," sings Gabriella. "I'd rather get my jamming words in first." What?! Well, she is 17... Rod Laver Arena is nearly full as Advance Australia Fair is sung by a young Aussie.

0827: Gentle round of applause for Gabriella Cilmi's first number, but now she's on to a real crowd-pleaser: Sweet About Me, which sold 70,000 copies in Australia. It was also Oasis singer Liam Gallagher's favourite song of 2008.

0825: Lovely 20-minute warm-up from Piers there. Over at Rod Laver Arena, Australian singer Gabriella Cilmi has taken to the court. Complete silence from the crowd. They should get Piers in.

By Piers Newbery

0820: "Cant wait for the match, fingers crossed that it wont be a one sided affair! Vamos Rafa!!!!"
From anon via text on 81111

0817: The stats - Federer and Nadal have played each other 18 times, with Nadal winning 12, and the Spaniard also leads 4-2 in their Grand Slam final meetings. While Federer is trying to win his fourth Australian and 14th Grand Slam title, Nadal is going for his sixth major and first on hard courts. So there you go.

0812: So, Federer will today try to match Pete Sampras's record mark of 14 Grand Slam titles - a pretty stupendous achievement - while Nadal can join the likes of Federer, Sampras, Becker, Edberg, Lendl, Wilander, McEnroe, Connors.... everyone who's anyone really.... as a winner of three of the four major titles.

0807: "He's the best, if not one of the best, of all time." So says John Newcombe during a presentation on Rod Laver Arena, and he's not talking about Roger Federer but 'Rocket' Rod Laver. Tony Roche and Ken Rosewall are among the others paying homage to the great man.

0802: "It's a real shame. For months i have been waiting for a Federer Nadal match, but when one comes along, in all probability, it will be a hugely one sided affair. Not only did Federer play a day earlier than Nadal, he only had to endure 3 sets. Nadal had to endure the longest match in australian open history, a match of around 5 and a quarter hours, full of intense tennis."
From Oleeeeeeee on 606

0758: Morning all, and welcome to Federer v Nadal episode 19. The weather is, not surprisingly, very good in Melbourne and the roof is open on Rod Laver Arena as the fans begin to take their seats half an hour ahead of kick-off.

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