Federer vs. Nadal: Rafa Will Ride Emotional Victory to Australian Open Title

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer did it again, this time at the Australian Open.

In an epic clash between two titans in the sport of tennis, it was Nadal who came out on top, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-4, and earned the right to play in the final. 

With all due respect to Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, the two men that will play in the other semifinal on Friday, Nadal just had one of the most emotional and physically grueling battles of his career. There is no way that he is walking away from this tournament empty-handed. 

In no way did Nadal play a perfect match against Federer. He struggled at the start, allowing Federer to go ahead a set early. But after that he turned on the jets and just overwhelmed his longtime rival. 

Federer had no answer for anything that Nadal was doing. It was clear after the first set that Nadal was in a different class than Federer. He was sharper with his shots, faster on the court and keeping his opponent off-balance throughout the match. 

As soon as it was over, Nadal let out an emotional fist pump that would make you think he had just won the Australian Open. He is almost there, and nothing is going to keep him from capturing his 11th Grand Slam championship. 

Emotion is a funny thing in sports. We have seen it destroy teams and players in their next game/match after a big victory. We have also seen teams and players carry all of that emotion to the ultimate prize; just look at the New York Giants in the NFL this year. 

Nadal knows that he just put Djokovic and Murray on high alert in that match with Federer. He showed why he is one of the greatest players in the world, and he did by making arguably the greatest player of this generation look foolish at times. 

Djokovic has had Nadal's number in their recent matches, winning six straight times, but if those two are on a collision course to meet in the finals of this year's Australian Open, all of that will change.

Nadal is playing as well as he ever has, and the momentum he got from this victory over Federer will carry him to victory. 

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