Throw back Oz final as Fed and Rafa face off

Legends set for action replay of the greatest game in tennis history

RAFAEL NADAL admitted his exhausting five-set victory over Grigor Dimitrov will put him at a disadvantage against Roger Federer in the Australian Open final.

Federer was also taken to five sets by Stan Wawrinka on Thursday but the Swiss will enjoy an extra 24 hours rest than Nadal who, for television reasons, played his semi-final on Friday.

At four hours and 56 minutes, Nadal’s epic 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (4/7), 6-4 victory over Dimitrov took almost two hours longer than Federer’s.

And across the fortnight, Nadal has been on court for a total of 18 hours and 59 minutes, the equivalent of two routine matches more than Federer’s 13 hours and 41 minutes.

It means Nadal is likely to be the wearier contestant in Sunday’s title showdown, which could prove significant given both finalists have only recently returned from injury.

Federer, 35, is playing his first official tournament since Wimbledon last year while Nadal, 30, ended last season in October to overcome a niggling wrist problem.

“These kind of matches, even for the body, it destroys your body, but that’s tennis,” Nadal said.

“That’s special, much more special than playing best-of-three. It should be like this, in my opinion.

“For me it is fair enough. It is true that if you play a match like I had today, it probably is true that you are in disadvantage, yes.

“But that’s a special situation, no? I cannot complain about that.”

Nadal’s one Australian Open triumph came in 2009, when he prevailed against Federer, in five sets, having gone to a decider against Fernando Verdasco in the last four.

“That what I’m going to try,” Nadal said. “I am seven, eight years older but now is not the time to talk about that. (Now it) is time to be happy, very happy.”

Nadal had to use every ounce of his experience and physical prowess against Dimitrov, who threatened to derail Melbourne’s dream reunion by twice coming from bbehind to force a decider.

The Bulgarian, however, ssquandered three break points in the fifth as Nadal pounced at 4-4 before serving out to seal an eenthralling win.

“I have a fantastic match. I am very emotional,” Nadal said. “I think Grigor played ggreat. I played great. So it wwas a great quality of tennis.

“So just for me, is amazing to be through to a final of a grand slam again here in Australia at the first of the year.”

The world No.9 will now play his greatest rival Federer in a grand slam final, their ninth together, and 35th career meeting.

Nadal is closing in on a 15th major title while Federer is hoping to extend his lead on the Spaniard to four by instead claiming his 18th.

“It is special to play with Roger again in a final of a grand slam, I cannot lie,” Nadal said. “It is great. It is exciting for us both.”