Roger vs. Rafa: The path to Bonus Chapter XXXV

When Rafael Nadal broke at 4-4 in the fifth set of his Australian Open semifinal against 15th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, the writing was on the wall. Just minutes later, for the first time since the 2011 French Open final, Nadal clinched a matchup against long-time rival Roger Federer in a Grand Slam final.

It certainly was not an easy path for either Nadal or Federer. The Spaniard, a 14-time major champion, saved two break points himself at 3-4 against Dimitrov in the fifth set of their four hour and 56 minute battle.

Federer’s semifinal win did not take quite as long, but it was an entertaining five-set affair nonetheless. In just over three hours, Federer was able to fend off a two-set comeback by fourth-seeded Stan Wawrinka to advance to his first Grand Slam final since the 2015 US Open.

If you were to judge the rivalry by its results, one would immediately predict that Nadal will win his 15th major crown. The Spaniard has won 23 of their 34 past meetings, including nine of 11 at the majors. It is no secret that the left-handed Nadal has exposed Federer in rallies by going after Federer’s one-handed backhand, and using his extreme spin to give the Swiss fits.

However, the duo have not played at a Grand Slam since the 2014 Australian Open, and both have struggled to play the same level of tennis they once achieved.

To further highlight how different this encounter may be, they have only played once in the final of a hard court major: The 2009 Australian Open.

Though Nadal won that 2009 encounter, leaving Federer in tears, the 35-year-old will still benefit from the quick speed of the Rod Laver Arena court. Expect him to attempt to control the baseline and move Nadal around, because any extended rallies will go in the Spaniard’s favor.

Compared to the last couple of years, during which Nadal’s best Grand Slam performance was reaching the quarterfinals at both the 2015 Australian Open and French Open, Nadal is now moving around the court more confidently and hitting out more aggressively with his forehand.

"It's a different time. A lot of time has gone by," Federer said. "I know this court allows me to play a certain game against Rafa that I cannot do on center court at the French Open."

Nadal won't have the slow clay to assist him on Sunday, so he'll bring his trademark fighting spirit, which saw him come back from two sets to one down against Alexander Zverev in the third round and which helped him close out his win on Friday against Dimitrov.

Though Nadal is five years younger than Federer, he will physically be at a disadvantage on Sunday after not only playing a longer semifinal but also having one less day off before the final.

"For me is fair enough," Nadal said about the scheduling. "Is true that if you play a match like I had today, probably is true that you are in disadvantage, yes. But that's a special situation, no? I cannot complain about that. I think is good."

Regardless of what happens, seeing Federer and Nadal on center stage again in Melbourne will reignite the world’s love for one of the greatest rivalries in sports who have given fans so many special moments, both on and off the court.

"Is special play with Roger again in a final of a Grand Slam," Nadal said. "I cannot lie. Is great. Is exciting for me and for both of us that we still there and we still fighting for important events."