SPORTS WINGER

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Rafael Nadal has beaten Roger Federer in the Australian Open final, putting on hold the Swiss star's quest to match Pete Sampras with 14 Grand Slam singles titles.

The top-seeded Nadal beat Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2 Sunday at Rod Laver Arena.

It was Nadal's third straight win over Federer in a Grand Slam final. He also beat Federer in the French Open and Wimbledon last year


Nadal crashes Federer at Australian Open final
World number one Rafael Nadal kept his winning record against Roger Federer after beating him at the Australian Open final on February 1 2009 in a five set match 7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2.

It was the first five set final at the tournament in 21 years and both players did their best to make it one of the most interesting ever. If nothing else this proved to be the fifth five set match between the two players, having won two each.

The fist set was a game of cat and mouse. Most predictions for the final expected that Nadal would save his effort after his five set semifinal match against his compatriot Fernando Verdasco while Federer had a day more to rest.

Nothing like this happened. From the first serve, Nadal chased Federer all over the court showing no signs of fatigue. Federer’s answer to Nadal’s pressure was to play close to the net often wining the balls. The other thing Federer tried was the long and deep first serves which Nadal had problems returning.

It worked on both occasions when Federer managed to break Nadal’s serve in the second and fourth set but when things reached the crucial fifth set both players had to show character.

Nadal proved to be the better one in this case. Having won the 2008 Rolland Garros and Wimbledon finals against Federer he had less on his shoulders to worry about. At 2-1 in the fifth set with Federer serving Nadal broke his serve.

Quickly it was Nadal leading with 5-2 and Federer on the serve. This was when Federer lost the game. At 0-15 he had a double fault leaving Nadal two points away from the title.

Amid the cheering crowd, Federer managed to get the match to 40-40 only to lose it two points later, making Nadal the first Spaniard to win the Australian Open final.

The trophy was presented by Road Laver himself who warmly greeted Federer who lost his breath amid spectators’ applause.

"Thanks for the support" Federer told the crowed "congratulations to Nadal, he had a an amazing tournament".

"Sorry for that Roger I know you wanted to win your 14th Grand Slam title but I m sure that it will happen soon" Nadal told Federer. "You are one of the bets players and it is always a pleasure playing against you" he said, cheered by the crowd.


MELBOURNE -- Roger Federer says he was overcome by the emotions of a major defeat when he broke down in tears on the presentation dais after losing the Australian Open to Rafael Nadal on Sunday.


The Spanish world number one downed the Swiss star in a thrilling five-set final 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-2 in four hours and 23 minutes to continue his Grand Slam domination over the Swiss star
The loss meant Federer missed the chance to move equal with American Pete Sampras's world record 14 Grand Slam wins.


After being presented with the runner-up trophy by legendary Australian player Rod Laver, Federer said the realisation of the magnitude of the loss sunk in and he couldn't control his emotions.


"In the first moment you're disappointed, you're shocked, you're sad, you know, then all of a sudden it overwhelms you," Federer said.


"The problem is you can't go in the locker room and just take it easy and take a cold shower. You can't.


"You know, you're stuck out there. It's the worst feeling. So, I don't know, it's rough."


Federer said the emotions were even stronger because he thought the match was his for the taking - he had 19 break point opportunities but could only convert six.


Crucially he was not able to convert any of the six chances he had in the third set, which Nadal went on to win in a tie-break.


"It is, sure, one of the matches in my career where I feel like I could have, or should have, won you know," he said.


"But you can't go through your whole life as a tennis player taking every victory that's out there.


"You've got to live with those, but they hurt even more so like if you're that close, you know, like at Wimbledon or like here at the Australian Open.


"So that's what's tough about it, but I have no regrets, so it's all right." Federer and Nadal were meeting for the first time since last year's epic Wimbledon final, when the Spaniard ended Federer's five-year hold on the trophy before deposing him as world number one.


They have now contested seven Grand Slam finals with Nadal holding a 5-2 edge in the meetings and 13-6 overall.


Both were fortunate to make the final, Federer almost falling to Czech player Tomas Berdych in the fourth round and Nadal surviving a five hour semi-final against countryman Fernando Verdasco.


Federer appeared back to his best in the quarter-finals, where he thrashed rising Argentine star Juan Martin del Potro, and in the semis where he beat an in-form Andy Roddick, so it came as a surprise when he started nervously.


He sprayed errors and double-faulted on break point before handing over the first set.

Federer recovered to push Nadal all the way, but he had trouble with his serve throughout the match, which he said cost him dearly.


"I don't think I served particularly well, unfortunately, and I think that was the key to the match in the end," he said, adding that he just tried to hang in when his serve went off the boil.


"I mean, I won a set against Rafa serving, what, 30 percent first serves.


"I tried to kind of get the grip on my serve, but never really found the rhythm, which was a pity, you know, but it happens.


"I thought it was a good match, but, I had, I guess, many chances.


"I mean I was up a break in the first twice. Yeah, I had many chances. I missed them and they cost me dearly."