The Catalyst

By Lindsay Hyde, Reporter

Rafael Nadal outlasted fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco Friday to reach the Australian Open final after the longest match in the tournaments history. Nadal will attempt to keep Roger Federer in second place from tying with Pete Sampras’ record 14 major titles on Sunday. “It was very tough to play against a player like Fernando,” Nadal said. “He played unbelievable. Only when you’re playing very well can you have these wins.” Federer advanced to his 18th Grand Slam final with a straight sets win over Andy Roddick on Thursday. The first set included 75 minutes of long rallies, more associated with a match on clay than a hardcourt. Nadal was serving at 4-3 in the tiebreaker when Verdasco ran off the last four points. The key shot was a backhand that trickled over to give him set point. A sharp volley set up an easy overhead, and the crowd exploded in cheers. Another tiebreaker loomed in the second set with Verdasco serving at 4-5, 40-15. This time it was Nadal, who had been looking a little puzzled and less confident than usual, running off four points in a row. They swapped four service breaks in the third set, and the second tiebreaker quickly went Nadal's way, with Verdasco looking increasingly drained. He called for the trainer to massage his left calf for apparent cramps twice during changeovers early in the fourth set and was clearly favoring it. But he worked through the pain. The third tiebreaker was all Verdasco as he raced to a 6-0 lead while forcing a deciding fifth set. It was the first time Nadal had ever lost a Grand Slam tiebreaker while winning only one point. Verdasco saved five break points in the fifth set before finally faltering. Serving at 4-5 he fell behind 0-40 to set up three match points for Nadal. He saved two with swinging volley winners, then double-faulted - only his fourth of the match. Both players dropped flat on the surface before Nadal got up, jumped over the net and gave his friend a hug.