The road to Fedal finals are often treacherous

The Miami Open final on Sunday will be the 23rd time Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will meet in a championship tilt. Nadal’s semifinal match against Fabio Fognini was rather straightforward, while Federer’s win over Nick Kyrgios was as drama-packed as it gets.

It’s not the only time Federer or Nadal—or both—have been tested in the match before their highly anticipated finals

Here are five of those such matches when the all-time greats were pushed, but couldn’t be denied.

1

Roger Federer def. David Nalbandian, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5)

The former junior rivals always had fierce battles as professionals. This time Federer rallied from a break down in the third set to eventually take the match in a deciding tiebreaker. Nadal meanwhile had a straightforward time with Gael Monfils, and outlasted Federer in the final, 7-6 in the fifth set.

2

Rafael Nadal def. Lleyton Hewitt, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5

Hewitt, a surprise semifinalist, stormed through the first set and appeared poised to reach his first Masters final on clay. Nadal rallied to take the second and a tight third to advance to the title match. Federer needed three sets to take out Carlos Moya, but then dismissed Nadal in the final, 2-6, 6-2, 6-0.

3

Rafael Nadal def. Fernando Verdasco, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4

In a match that lasted more than five hours, Nadal prevailed to reach his first Australian Open final over his countryman in one of the most thrilling matches in the tournament’s history. On the bottom side of the draw, Federer swept aside Andy Roddick, only to fall to Nadal in a five-set final.

4

Nadal def. Grigor Dimitrov, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4

Dimitrov, riding a 10-match winning streak, appeared to be ready to reach his first Grand Slam final. Nadal halted his charge to make his return to the Australian Open championship match.

5

Federer def. Stan Wawrinka, 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3

The other Melbourne semifinal had almost as much drama as Nadal's. Federer’s run to the title was nothing short of astounding. Among his Top-10 victims was his countryman Stan Wawrinka, who pushed Federer to the brink. And on the final day, it was Federer left standing with his 18th Grand Slam title.