Federer vs. Nadal: Rivalry Match at Australian Open Will Trump Final

The Australian Open will feature yet another match between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, but this is no rerun nor a tired retelling of past matches. This is going to be a marquee match that trumps everything else at the Aussie. 

Fate has been kind to us tennis fans who know full well that a rivalry that has seen 26 matches is closer to its end than its beginning. That doesn't mean that the latest chapter in the Federer vs. Nadal rivalry will be any less fantastic. 

The Swiss maestro is playing sublime tennis and is coming off a beatdown of Juan Martin del Potro, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 in quarterfinal action on Tuesday. Del Potro was supposed to give Federer a run for his money, but instead revenge for a US Open final loss was exacted. 

On the other side, Nadal was entrenched in a grueling and emotional battle with Tomas Berdych, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-3. 

If Nadal's ailing knee or shoulder was ever going to be a problem, this would be the match for it. He has been his usual frantic self, running all over the court and putting added strain on the joints. 

This is not why I am going with Federer, though. I will agree that Nadal, on any other week in the past few months, would be the better player. 

The Swiss legend is playing at a much better clip in Melbourne, though. He looks rested, poised and in fine form. I am one that believes Federer still have one more Grand Slam left in legs that are merely aged, not old. 

It's time to leave the sentiment that Fed is over-the-hill behind us. There will be a time when the great Federer will be the worn out one, but that time is not now. 

Nadal, for his part, was emotional in his defeat over Berdrych, going so far as to argue calls and put a great level of heat into the quarterfinal match. 

The fire is there for Nadal who would love to defeat his rival that he called out publicly. Federer has dismissed that any ill will remains about comments Nadal made of Federer and his silence on men's tennis issues. 

That might be the case, but that doesn't take away any of the drama that will be present when the two play out just the second Grand Slam semifinal in their rivalry. 

Nadal may be the one in better shape at this point in their careers, but Federer is still in amazing form as well. We are going to see a marathon of brilliance, and it would only be better if it were the final. 

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