 Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 30 Jan 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 30 Jan 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 30 Jan 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 30 Jan 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 30 Jan 2009 |  Photographer: Paul Zimmer
Date: 30 Jan 2009 |
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| 30 Jan 2009 - Melbourne, Australia | |
| Australian Open day 12: Nadal wins epic marathon |
Rafael Nadal will play Roger Federer in the final after the top seed battled through an epic five hour battle against fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.
Nadal finally ended up defeating the surprise package of this tournament, Verdasco, 67(4) 64 76(2) 67(7) 64 after five hours and 14 minutes, which set a record for the longest singles match in Australian Open history. Verdasco hit an extraordinary 95 winners in the match, but the world No. 1 made the crucial breakthrough in the tenth game of the fifth set to seal a momentous victory.
Nadal and Federer will now meet in Sunday’s final for the 19th time and seventh in Grand Slams finals, with the Spaniard leading 12-6 overall and 4-2 in major finals. However, it will be the first time they have played each other in Melbourne and on hard courts in a Grand Slam final.
Also today, Serena and Venus Williams won their eighth Grand Slam women's doubles title as a partnership, with a 63 63 victory over Daniela Hantuchova and Ai Sugiyama. This was the Williamses' third title in Melbourne after winning in 2001 and 2003.
For comprehensive event information, including live scoring, schedules and draws, visit the Official Australian Open website.
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