As It Happens
As It Happens - : Sunday 1 February 2009
Rennae Stubbs
Justine Henin wildcard
Geoff Pollard
GuccioneStart of Daily Log Items
02:20
So that's it from me for another year. Thanks for your company over fourteen fantastic days of Australian Open 2009. I'd like to thank the lines people, the ballkids, the crowd, Rafa and Rog for putting on such a scintillating show. See you next year - CJ.
02:18
A journalist asks if Rafa proved his true genius tonight and Rafa says he's the same person now as he was five hours ago. He had to know who he was before the match as he does after the match.
02:14
He had treatment for his hamstring, not for cramping but because it hurt and gave him a scare. He thanks the trainer Paul who rubbed cream into it to relax it a bit. He says he hasn't had a chance to enjoy the title yet. When he got to the locker room he was dizzy. He says he's happy with his six Grand Slam titles but he will be trying for sure to win more. He knows how tough it is to win each title and he doesn't know if he'll win another.
02:11
Rafa's in the interview room. First he rearranges his shorts, then he rearranges his trophy on the desk, then he rearranges his water bottle, then he speaks. He says he's worked very hard to win Grand Slams outside of clay. He says he was very happy and there were a lot of emotions on court. He was with the best player he ever saw, Roger Federer, with the best player his Uncle Toni ever saw, Rod Laver. He's sorry for Rog today, it was a tough match, he knows he is a great champion and how important he is to the sport. Rafa congratulates him for everything.
01:12
Questions in Swiss for Rog now. Let's hope Rafa comes in before dawn so that we can bring you a bit of that presser too.
01:10
Rog says he played a bad fifth set and Rafa played solid. He doesn't think it hurts more because it could have been the record-equalling 14th Slam, it's just rough being trapped on the court after the shock and emotion of losing.
01:09
He says Rafa is one of the tougher guys to play in a fifth set. He kind of thinks it's one that got away today. He says you can't go through your whole life regretting matches you almost win.
01:08
He says he never found the rhythm on his serve, it was a pity but it happens. He fought hard, he played well, he's happy with where his serve is at but he tries to go for the lines so he's always going to miss a gain. He loves the game, it means the world to him so it hurts when he loses.
01:06
Rog said he had his chances, up a break twice in the first, they cost him dearly. He knows he didn't serve particularly well and that it was the key to the match in the end.
01:06
Still here. Rog is heading into press. Has he stemmed the tears?
00:44
Rafa heads down the tunnel with a trophy and a stuffed wombat and the last stragglers head out of RLA.
00:42
As Rafa signs autographs and receives some pats on the back from the ballkids, things begin to wind down behind the scenes. Rafa salutes the crowd and heads for the tunnel. Not before signing a few more autographs.
00:40
So, that wraps things up for another year girls and boys. What passion, what drama, what sportsmanship, what emotion and what heat. Can't believe it's over.
00:37
Rafa takes his superstitious bite from the handle of the trophy as Rog leaves the court for the last time in 2009.
00:36
He says "See you next year, thank you, thank you".
00:35
Rafa first apologises to Fed and tells him he's a great champion and that he will break the record 14 this year. Cue another bout of tears from Rog. Rafa thanks the crowd for their support and thanks Rod Laver for being there to present his trophy. Rafa thanks Uncle Toni, his dad Benito and his team.
00:34
Rog has composed himself enough to make a speach, he congratulates Rafa and says he deserves the last word. Thanks the tournament and the crowd.
00:33
Modest little Rafa holds his trophy aloft and heads back to put his arm around Roger. Now I'm crying. Talk about Bro-mance.
00:32
Mirka's crying, Roger's crying, Rafa's crying. Everyone in the web room is crying. He's going to take a break and speak in a bit. Rafa needs his trophy.
00:30
Roof-lifting cheer for Aussie-Rog. He thanks the crowd for their support. I think we might get tears here. Yep, he can't speak. Yep, full break down. Poor Rog. Rafa's going to start in a minute.
00:29
Rod Laver steps up to the plate to present Roger Federer with...a plate.
00:27
Geoff introduces Rod's four 1969 Slam victims, Gimeno, Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe and Tony Roche.
00:25
Now we're getting to the good stuff, two-time Grand Slammer, Rod Laver, is introduced.
00:23
The Kia rep makes his speach. Followed by Geoff Pollard, president of Tennis Australia.
00:22
Spaniard Gimeno was defeated by Laver in the 1969 AO final. What a thrill for Rafa.
00:21
Andreas Gimeno, one of the four men Laver beat to complete his 1969 Slam, spends some time congratulating Rafa, moving the 22-year-old to tears.
00:19
And, while we're at it, what a fantastic pair of ambassadors for men's tennis. Not a cross word between them during that four hour, 23-minute blockbuster.
00:16
Somehow Rafa managed to hit one fewer winner than Rog in that dream final, 173 to 174, but the Spaniard came out on top. What a classic and what a fitting end to a scorching tournament.
00:14
Amazing, line splitting rally on match point. Roger hooks a forehand long and Rafa slides onto his back, arms and legs splayed, in celebration. It's all over in RLA and the world No.1 has hist first Grand Slam of the year. It's the 40th aniversary of Rod Laver's 1969 Grand Slam - could the Spaniard be on track to achieve the same feat?
00:12
Heart-stopping rally there. Somehow the Swiss man prevails. It's deuce after Rafa slices a backhand wide. Deuce. On the next point Rafa seems to nail the line with a winner. Someone in the crowd calls out. No challenge and Rafa has a third match point.
00:10
Double fault from Fed, his sixth for the match and he's down 0-30. He has towel fluff in his five o'clock shadow. Will Jim Courier try to pick it off his face if we get another change of ends. Big Fed serve and it's 15-30. Then he hits a massive forehand long and wide and, after four hours and 20 minutes, Rafa has two match points. Shocking first serve for Rog and Rafa guides the forehand reply long. 30-40.
00:09
Rog hits a really casual volley that looks long. He challenges. It is long and he trails 2-5, 0-15.
00:08
Fed trailing 2-5 in this final set of the men's final.
00:06
Too many unforced errors by Rog this set - 11 to Rafa's 1. If he wants that record-equalling 14th major he might want to start turning it on about now. Love service game to the world No.1 and he stands a game away from his sixth big one.
00:05
Fed's first love game for some time. Rafa leads 4-2 and the RLA fans are in a frenzy.
00:02
As they sit down for the change of ends both men are down to two bananas. That's how big this match has been. Another clean wrist band for Roger. No sign of the masseuse who whipped Rafa back into shape earlier in this match. Is Rafa drinking milk at that change of ends. Does Rafa have his own cow too? I digress.
00:01
Rog claws a couple back but nets a return to hand Rafa a 4-1 lead in the decider.
23:58
Fair to say Roger has hit a cold patch. Rafa threatens to win another game to love as the clock strikes midnight. Serena said she'd travel home economy if she lost this tournament. Will Roger be heading home in a pumpkin??
23:57
He drops serve with a netted topspin backhand. Rafa leads 3-1 in the fifth. That's just THREE games away from the match!!! Rafa serving.
23:54
Fed takes the first point of his second service game in this set with a clean cross court backhand winner. His 12th winner off that wing for the match. Goes up 30-0 then concedes two points, the second with his fifth double falt of the night. Long cross court backhand and Rog is facing a break point in the decider.
23:51
Love service game to Rafa. Been a while since we've seen one of those. 2-1 to the world No.1 in the fifth.
23:47
Slow start to his serivce game but Fed rallies, literally, and levels at 1-1.
23:47
Easy opener to Rafa. 1-0.
23:43
Zoey, where are you? If you miss this fifth set you'll kick yourself in the morning. Who needs sleep. The food of life is tennis baby.
23:41
Take a second tennis fans to drink this in. We've got the top two players in the world fighting this title out. It's the first time that's happened since 2000. Savour this moment., drink it in. It's the last set you're getting this tournament. What a cracker this match has turned out to be. Two sets-all. Game on!
23:40
Rog works the ball around the court drawing the Nadal error. Two set points. Big serve into the Nadal backhand and guess what?? We've got a fifth set. 6-3 there to Roger.
23:38
Petulant challenge alert. Rog served a double fault there. Or did he??? Apologies to the world No.2, that second serve was in. Replay...Ok, that was a petulant almost-ace clocking 200kph. 30-15 the Fed.
23:37
Fed take the first point and Rafa drills into the Swiss backhand in the second, reaping dividends. It's 15-15.
23:35
Rafa hangs in to trail 3-5, dropping just one point there. Rog steps up to the mark to begin serving for the fourth set.
23:33
Wow. Love game to the Fed. He's 5-2 now and the crowd is chanting "Let's go Roger, let's go". RLA cauldron is bubbling ladies and gentlemen.
23:32
He takes it and the conversion ratio is improving at 6/19. Leading 4-2 in the fourth Rog celebrates with a new move I like to call "the jackhammer".
23:28
Ok, break point to Roger here.
23:24
Off a second serve, Fed attempts another backhand winner but misses it. Seventh deuce for the match. He drags Rafa wide on his next serve and puts away a clean forehand volley. Follows that up with another big serve and executes a much more effective forehand dropshot on the follow up. Rafa can't reach it, dolloping it into the net and Rog hangs on for a 3-2 lead by the skin atop the custard made from the milk produced by one of his pet cows. 3-2 Fed.
23:20
Long shot by Fed and another "petulant challange" by the world No.2. Deuce again. Grunty rally by Rafa and he draws the backhand error from Roger to gain another break point against his serve. Rog saves it. Rafa wins a point that defies description (at my typing speed anyway) and wins another break point. Rog saves it with an ace. Rog makes a mistake and it's break point against Federer again. Rog pounds a short forehand into Nadal's forehand corner and it's deuce for the sixth time. Clean winner by Roger, his fourth for the set and tenth of the match and it's game point to Rog.
23:17
Deuce again after a screamer of a point. What a waste by Roger who, after hammering his opponent left and right drew him forward with a great drop shot only to stand gazing in admiration at his lob. That is until Rafa clubbed it at the Swiss man's feet. Deuce. Rog decides to make good with the drop shot on the very next point, striking one even the fleet-footed Rafa can't reach. Ad Fed.
23:15
Rafa's bidding for his third-consecutive game here, Roger trailing 15-40 on serve after a couple of, frankly casual, shots from Federer. He grabs one back after challenging a Rafa baseline shot and proving it out. 30-40. Then he brings the game back to deuce with a fist pump and another Lleyton-esque "c'mon". A long return by Rafa and it's game point to Rog.
23:12
Rafa's groundies are opening the court up beautifully. He uses that deep backhand/drop shot combo for the third time in this contest to take the advantage, following up with a big serve that draws a return error from Fed. It's all square in the fourth. 2-2.
23:10
Rafa's trailing 0-30 on serve courtesy of a Fed winner and a Fed let chord. Look of disgust on the Rafanator's face. Half hearted apology from Fed. Rafa gets one back after Rog nets a return and it's 15-30.
23:09
Rog backhand a ball into the courtside 'toblerone' Kia signage and heads for the chair. Is he not happy? He is not!
23:07
Now it's a break point to Rafa, Rog trailing 30-40 on serve. This match was hot before but you get the feeling it's about to catch fire. Clean pass from Rafa, down the line as Rog heads net-wards and you can almost hear the sizzle. 2-1 Federer with Rafa serving to level.
23:03
Early break points against the Nadal serve here, 15-40. Finally he converts at the first opportunity. Hurrah! He takes a 2-0 lead and marginally improves what has been a horrible break point conversion rate of 4/17 into a slightly-less horrible break point conversion rate of 5/18.
23:01
First game to Federer as the fourth set gets underway.
22:56
Roger serving and delivers his only double fault for the set. It's third set to Rafa 7-3 in the breaker. Amazing effort from Nadal who was really struggling there but seems to have quite literally plucked that set out of... Well, never mind. Suffice to say that the plucky world No.1 overcame cramp in that set to tweak out a two set advantage.
22:54
Two forehands drilled into the Federer backhand and now Rafa sits at 5-3. He runs Roger all over the court in the next point (all that off season work in Dubai has served the Swiss well) and now Rafa has a 6-3 lead in the breaker.
22:53
Wild Federer forehand and Rafa takes a 4-3 lead. So loud from the crowd between points. So quite during them.
22:51
Rog hits a shot long and makes what Matty T of the web team calls a "petulant challenge". Top terminology Matty. Nadal leads 3-2 but Rog gets it back level with a backhand volley deep into the Nadal backhand. It's 3-3 and around the net they go.
22:50
Bit of a rally and Roger hits a backhand well wide of the trams. It's 2-2. ZOEY - I hope that's not your eyelids I can see drooping. Stay with me girl.
22:48
Challenge by Rafa on the first point of the breaker. Rafa's eyesight seems to be failing him tonight. He has one challnge remaining in his portfolio for this set. It's 1-0 to Roger. Rafa claws one back and on the next point Rog follows a ball into the net to put away a clean drive volley winner off the forehand. 2-1 Rog.
22:47
A flicked backhand by Federer and it's advantage to the Suisse. He follows up with a 193kph ace and it's a tiebreak here in the third set on RLA.
22:44
Oh boy, set point to Rafa off a Federer error trailing 5-6. It's deuce now and, after a venomous rally, Rafa goes for the big cross court forehand winner. It looks a mile out but the linesman takes about five minutes to call it (ok, both exaggerations). It's advantage Rog. Rafa quickly gets it back to deuce with a clean forehand return winner, to which Rog responds with a 203kph ace. Then he makes a mistake. It's deuce.
22:38
Rafa with that big lefty forehand again and Roger can't control it. Game point to the world No.1. Fed is still bidding for the break here though and slips a passingshot beyond Rafa to take it back to deuce. When is the world No.2 going to cotton on to the whole 'pound the forehand corner' tactic of Rafa's? The world No.1 earns yet another game point courtesy of the game plan before forcing a Fed forehand error for the game and 6-5. Uncle Toni is on his feet.
22:35
Big forehand from Roger is called out. He challenges and looks like a real chance to take the point and the break. The ball is out by a mile - what do I know?? It's deuce. On the next point Rafa hits another of those scything backhands to the Federer forehand. It's called out but the umpire doesn't hear it and thinks that Roger is challenging. In fact the challenge belongs to Rafa and it's out. Advantage Roger again. Rafa makes amends with a big winner for deuce.
22:32
Questionable cross court shot by Federer is called in and Rafa misses the opportunity to challenge a sure thing. Fed has two break points at 15-40. The Spaniard just does so much damage with those deep shots into the Federer forehand. Again he uses the tactic to unbalance the No.2, saving a break point and quite possibly the set in the process.
22:29
Two casual shots for Federer in that service game, one that could have proven costly but that he got away with, the second an easy forehand into an open court. It's 5-5. This match is like a bone with two dogs' jaws locked on it.
22:28
Danger for Roger here? He's down 4-5 and serving to stay in the third set. Let's see.
22:27
Gutsy game to Rafa there. He's up 5-4 in the third set and getting some serious attention on that right thigh now.
22:26
We've had a visit from Kat, one of our much-loved photo editors on australianopen.com. She's been out in Garden Square watching the match on the big screen along with several thousand other tennis devotees. Aparently the balance of support out there is for Rafa.
22:23
Rafa saves two on the trot with two of those big off-forehands we haven't seen enough of tonight. Rog has one more chance. He nets a simple return off a second serve. Time for the Swiss man to take a long hard look at his chance-taking. He's had 14 break points tonight and only managed to nab four of them.
22:22
Wide forehand by Rafa. Those flag-bearing Swiss fans in the stand are going to need the Red Cross if they get any more excited. Three break points to Rog.
22:19
Fearsome stat there David M, at least for Roger. I imagine it would put quite a smile on Rafa's face. Is there a little bit of pain etched there at the moment. He trails Fed 0-30 here.
22:16
He took a salt tablet at that last change of ends and at this one there's a trainer courtside to give his right thigh a massage. He's leading 4-3 though so no immediate danger for the world No.1.
22:12
Pretty easy service game to Rafa there. He's looked a little less sharp these last few games though.
22:10
Not this time though. Roger saves it with a forehand winner. The next point is a long one and it's Rafa who blinks first. A "c'mon" from Rog that Lleyton Hewitt would be proud of. 3-3.
22:09
A couple of loose backhands and now it's Rafa who has a break point. Good news for the Spaniard. He's got a 100 per cent record on break points so far in this match with four from four.
22:01
Roger seems to have taken inspiration from the Proclaimers tonight, he's prepared to run one thousand miles and a thousand more if it means he can get a precious break of the Nadal serve. His persuit doesn't do him any good on this occasion though and Rafa leads 3-2.
22:00
A 191kph ace gets the Swiss man's nose in front again at 40-30, then it's Rafa's turn to fluff a forehand volley. It's 2-2 and Rog makes a quick detour to the chair to unwrap another racquet. His third for the night.
21:57
Opening point of the Federer serve and it's the point of the match so far. Three times Rog retrieves Rafa smashes that should, by rights, be sitting in Geoff Pollard's lap right now. Wily Spaniard Rafa drops him short and the whole stadium eggs the Swiss man to the ball. To no avail and he scoops the forehand into the net for 0-15. he gets the game back to 30-15 but then hits a sitter of a forehand volley long and it's 30-30.
21:55
Two-consecutive points of squiffy forehands by Federer and Nadal lives on leading 2-1 in the third.
21:53
Rafa takes the advantage with his 13th forehand winner of the night but Rog responds with a clean backhand winner, one of only five for the match so far. Deuce.
21:50
Tense times for Rafa early in this second set. It's at deuce on his serve and Rog is pushing hard.
21:48
I'm trying hard to be impartial here but my good friend David from IBM tells me it's totally obvious my heart belongs to Rog tonight. Is a blog supposed to be impartial?
21:46
Rafa opens the third set with an easy service game. Federer responds with an easy-ish game of his own. Good chasing there from the former world No.1. 1-1.
21:42
Oh ye of little faith (Zoey and Davids H and M). What a fab comeback from my favourite red cross man.
21:37
Sigh of relief from Mirka as her man drills down a second serve and Rafa mucks up the return. It's a set apiece.
21:36
This pair are certainly making sure that this blue court gets a thorough going over before it's packed into moth balls for another year. Rafa hits a backhand long and, for the first time in this one hour 46 minute match, Rog has a set point. Two in fact.
21:34
Rog shows what damage he can do with his backhand off a let serve, cranking an acute backhand winner. Of course it doesn't count but there's a sigh of appreciation from the crowd. He makes the next one count though, rushing the net and forcing Rafa into an error. 5-3 Rog and he's serving for the second.
21:32
Deuce again after Rafa misses a backhand of his own. Long forehand by Rafa and it's a fifth break point to the maestro.
21:31
Long rally where everyone holds their breath. Ultimately the Fed backhand lets him down wide of the line and it's a hard-fought game point to the Rafanator.
21:29
Rog pins Rafa to the baseline like a Red Admiral before clunking that forehand for another winner and another break point. Rafa drives wide to the Fed forehand and, while the world No.2 manages to scoop up a response, he can chase down the Rafa follow-up drop shot. Deuce.
21:28
Break point for the third time, set up by that masterful Federer forehand. Saved by a Rafa ace clocking 197kph.
21:27
The Rafinator takes the first with a better-than-decent forehand winner of his own. Then Fed hits a totally lame backhand return beyond the baseline and it's deuce. Big chance there. Opportunity lost?
21:24
A couple of better-than-decent forehands and Roger sits at two points to secure a second consecutive break of the Rafa serve.
21:21
Despite only landing 32 per cent of first serves in this set, Rog somehow manages to hold there to take a 4-3 lead. He changes his sweat band and accepts a whole hand of bananas from an Aviva Ballkid. Optimistic? Let's hope not.
21:15
Hmmmmmm break point for Roger now. Bit of a rally before Rafa longs a forehand. Big "C'mon" from Rog. Now there's a rare sound. It's 3-3.
21:13
Rog frames a forehand and the ball disappears out of sight. It might even have sailed out of the RLA roof. The arena's namesake, Rod, won't be too impressed by that one. Rafa leads 3-2 and serving. Roger flings his towel to the side of the court and straightens his belt as he heads out to receive.
21:12
You could shave with some of Rafa's razor-like backhands tonight. Seriously searing. He's scorched his way to a 30-40 lead on the Federer serve in this fifth game of the set.
21:10
If they say that the fittest man in the draw wins the Australian Open title, then we've certainly got the right two candidates in contention. Both men have already scrambled down some corkers and the night's still a pup.
21:08
Rog looks to have nailed a forehand volley. It's called out but again he's successful with the challenge. The players replay the advantage point with Rafa running Rog wide and the Swiss man responding with a wildly long forehand. Game Rafa 2-2.
21:03
Rog brings up another break early set break point with an awe-inspiring off-forehand. Rafa saves it with a 191kph service ace. Tense, tense, tense. Deuce. Forehand error Rog and it's advantage Rafa.
21:00
Easy service game to Roger and it's 2-1 the Swiss. Rafa adjusts the towels on his courtside seat, sips his waters, jiggles his knees, lines up his bottles, the usual routine. He's serving at 1-2 in the second set.
20:55
Rafa holds for 1-1 with a cross court forehand that elicits an aaaaaaahhhhhhhh of delight - at least from the web team. I'm sure the fans out on RLA like it too though. Rog to serve.
20:53
Rafa gets the opening two points on Roger's serve but normal service is resumed by Rog with a clean forehand winner, his 10th for the night, and a 190kph ace. Nice drive forehand volley and it's game point Roger. He serves what he thinks is a 193kph ace. It's called out so he refers it to Hawk Eye. It's sooooooo in. Roger leads 1-0.
20:50
Is that sweat I see on the Federer brow. Usually he's dry as a baby's bottom doused in talcum powder but there's definitely more than a glow on the maestro's facade today. A sign in the crowd reads: "Global warming? What global warming? Roger's so hot he melted Melbourne." Let's hope the cool Swiss is not about to melt under the Rafinator's spotlight.
20:49
Heart-stopping rally, Rog looks like he's got the best of it up until the very last point when the Rafinator steps in and cracks a genius wrong-footing forehand for a clean winner. It's set Nadal in 53 minutes. At this rate we're on course for another record-breaker.
20:48
More inside-the-baseline action from Federer draws an error on the Nadal backhand. Now it's 40-30.
20:47
A rare Fed forehand error presents Rafa with two set points.
20:44
Oh the tension. It's as silent as Wimbledon out there during the points. Rafa' is up 30-15.
20:42
The Spaniard only needs one, looping a forehand passing shot out of the reach of the incoming volleyer, Fed. The world No.1 takes a 6-5 lead with a break at a critical time in this first set. Discrete fist pump and a nod to Uncle Tony.
20:41
Nicely disguised backhand dropshot by Nadal leaves Rog 15-30 down on serve. Then the Swiss attempts a down the line backhand and misses, wide. Rafa has two break points.
20:37
Rafa clinches that one off a netted backhand by Roger. It's 5-5. You get the sense that nobody is going to be surrendering out there on RLA any time soon.
20:33
A 192kph serve and Rog takes a 5-4 lead in the opener. His first serve percentage is notable at down around 53%. He does well when he gets the first delivery in, winning more than two-thirds of points. Something the Swiss man might like to consider. Meanwhile Rafa has to head back onto court after this change of ends, serving to stay in the first set trailing 4-5.
20:29
Rog takes two points from the Rafinator's serve but the Spaniard stands firm. It's 4-4 after 40 minutes. Rog to serve.
20:28
The sun is setting on Melbourne Park but not on this match which, so far, is shaping up to be a tournament director's dream. Karma for Craig Tiley's judicious distribution of wildcards perhaps?
20:26
Clean backhand winner cross court by Rafa. Rog stretches but can't reach it. Break-back point to Rafa. Then the Swiss makes his second double fault for the match. It's 3-4 Rafa with the Spaniard coming back out from the change of ends to attempt to level things up again in this match. Rog unwraps a new racquet and looks steely-eyed on the chair.
20:25
Now a piece of Rafinator magic. The world No.1 stretches for a long-gone Fed forehand into his forehand corner and somehow scoops it off his bootstraps and down the line. 30-30.
20:24
Fed's serve and he lands his third ace for the match, a 177kph down the line jobby.
20:23
Make that 11 clean forehand winners. The Fed Express is gathering steam sitting at 4-2.
20:23
A break point from Fed after another forehand winner - he's had 10 so far. Rafa trails 30-40 and is on his second serve.
20:22
Tight times for Rafa as the Swiss maestro makes some magic and takes the sixth game to 30-30.
20:21
Ask our experts.
20:19
As if tonight wasn't exciting enough, we're also chatting right now to tonight's experts Darcie Vescio and Jack Newnes who are Aviva Ballkids here at Australian Open 2009. Post your questions now.
20:17
Now it's deuce on Rog's serve and his turn to head net-wards. The tactic works as Rafa can't control the approach shot. Advantage Fed followed by game Fed as he serves up a 180kph ace. 3-2 Fed.
20:16
Searing down the line backhand by Rafa is challenged by Rog. His Swiss precision is on song and the ball is called long. 40-30 Rog.
20:13
Fed serving. Credit to Rafa, the baseline swashbuckler seems intent on rushing the net tonight. Surprise tactics perhaps? It's not working really well for him at this stage but it's (very) early days. He goes back to what he knows best and hits a clean crosscourt backhand that is called out but overruled by the umpire. 15-30 on Fed's serve. Then it's 30-30 after a lose return by Rafa.
20:10
Rafa reciprocates with an easy service game of his own, again just one point lost. It's 2-2.
20:09
There's a real buzz around RLA. Inexplicably a quick round of Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. Oi! Oi! Oi! Perhaps it's just a quick reminder for the viewers at home that they're watching the 'Happy Slam'.
20:06
All that practice with that unidentified lefty out on show court 2 has obviously done Fed the power of good, he powers to a 2-1 lead with the loss of just one point in a game laced with brilliance.
20:04
Clean forehand down the line winner from Fed and it's all square at 1-1. He's seriously taking the ball so early out there, standing well inside the baseline. They've managed two games in 13 minutes. At this rate this is going to be longer than the Rafa v Verdasco fiasco. (Actually it wasn't a fiasco at all, quite the opposite, but dontcha love the way it rhymes?)
20:03
Rafa's fourth unforced error for the match, he hooks a forehand long and Rog has a third break point.
20:02
Unlucky let chord off another flowing Fed topspin backhand. The ball bounces high and out. Deuce.
20:01
Rog is taking the ball super early. I think I spy a gameplan here. He drives another clean winner beyond the reach of the Rafa forehand and sits at game point again.
20:00
Forehand more than a foot beyond the baseline by Fed and Rafa has a second game point. Beautiful backhand deep into the Rafa forehand corner followed up by a killer cross court backhand blow and Fed gets it back to deuce again.
19:58
Rog nets a tame-ish serve by Rafa and now he has a point for 2-0. The world No.1 is really working Fed's backhand. Didn't he watch the Roddick match? Rafa nets a forehand and it's deuce number two.
19:58
Break point to the Swiss man but Rafa fights it off and it's deuce.
19:55
That first game was certainly no Fed-a-bear picnic for Rog, Zoey. He's making some ground on Rafa's serve here though 15-30. I can hardly breathe and we've only been going for six minutes.
19:55
Rafa serving at 1-0 with a break.
19:52
Nervy start by the Swiss. He shanked a couple of shockers in that game and he's dropped serve to Rafa already. You could cut the tension on RLA with a plastic knife from the media cafe. Actually you can't cut anything with a plastic knife from the media cafe but take my word for it, it's pretty tense out there.
19:51
It's Rog to serve to start things off between these old rivals.
19:49
Roger has three of these AO titles to his name so far, Rafa has never won one. Rafa has five Slam titles in total, Rog has 13 and is bidding for a world record-equalling forteenth here on RLA tonight.
19:43
So, a quick synopsis of the stats for these two. Rafa has the head-to-head edge a significant 12-6 and, interestingly, he won the pair's first meeting in straight sets in Miami back in 2004. Pretty remarkable that they've managed to play 18 times in four years.
19:41
Hey David H, thanks for your company too. Don't blame you for watching the TV for this one. We're in for a shot-tastic battle here, there's no way I'm going to be able to do it justice in a blog.
19:38
Good evening Zoey and I'd just like to take this opportunity to say thanks for all your company this fortnight. You're a text commentary natural with a bright future. C'mon, off the fence now, who's your pick?
19:36
Roger says it's the first time he's played the world No.1 in the final of a Grand Slam. He's excited playing his biggest rival and hopes to get off to a good start.
19:35
Ok, just done my final AO Radio for the fortnight. Finals day is just so full of, well, finals. Awaiting the arrival of Roger and Rafa on court.
17:21
Mahesh thanks tournament director Craig Tiley for giving him and Sania a wildcard into the mixed doubles and congratulates his partner for her great play. Mahesh says the AO is his favourite Slam and thanks his family and supporters for riding the emotional rollercoaster with him. Finally he thanks the crowd for coming out to watch the mixed a full three hours before kick off in the men's singles final.
17:16
It's 135 minutes 'till D-day or, should I say, R-day as it's our beloved top seeds, Rog and Rafa, who are in action tonight.
17:15
Right, Mirza and Mahesh have done the business with a straight sets win over Andy and Nathalie. We're now on a countdown to the final act on the world's biggest stage.
17:07
Brave media workroom staff are busy laying out wine glasses and platters of food in preparation for the final five o'clock feed stampede of the tournament. Brace yourselves...incoming.
17:05
On Rod Laver Arena at the moment Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi are busy grinding Nathalie Dechy and Andy Ram into tandori paste. There's a gaggle of flag-bearing Aviva Ballkids - tennis' equivalent of the grim reaper - huddled in the corridor outside the RLA entrance ready to spring into action for the presentation ceremony.
17:05
Seemingly in the blink of an eye it’s men's finals day. I’ve already ordered my last soy mocha from the media café and had my last, blissful, massage from the Garnier team.
17:03
Afternoon all. CJ here to take you through day 14 of Australian Open 2009.
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