Australian Open 2012: Roger Federer Has Torch Ripped from Hands by Rafael Nadal

The old dog had a couple new tricks, but it wasn't enough to get over on a player we all have to admit is better than Roger Federer, and that's Rafael Nadal. 

My loyalties remained on the sport itself as the clock rang 12:30 a.m. PT here in Los Angeles. Sleep was for the weak when two of the best were about to get it on for the 10th meeting in a major between the two. 

Momentum, as it seemed, rested all with Federer. He came in riding high on a 24-match winning streak, not losing a singles match since last year's US Open. 

The fall had been very good to Federer and it seemed the winter would be just as kind. He opened up a can of good old-fashioned domination on Rafa Nadal to start the match. 

That great match we all clamored for was here, and it didn't disappoint. Federer has worked on his backhand, but some of the early showings were simply sublime. There was one in the first set that seemed to have been launched out of a shotgun. 

Federer was poised, measured and in control. That is, until he wasn't. Nadal is a great many things, but he showed he could play the part of Muhammad Ali quite well. His rope a dope was superb as an initial battering from Federer was accepted with ease. 

Nadal sat back and took the Swiss mater's initial punches and didn't concern himself with splendid counters. The cream, as we should have known, would eventually rise in the end. 

By the end of the epic match of two true giants of sport, Nadal delivered a telling snippet laced with emotion (via ESPN): "For me is an honor to play against Roger. I always saw him in front of me, one player better than me."

There is no way of knowing if Nadal meant to imply he had finally taken over Federer once and for all, especially with his use of past tense, but it rings true. 

Federer had the best form we have seen from him in years. He was commanding the ball in a way that only he can. There are no excuses and no time to grieve, because Federer is one of the greatest to ever play the game. 

However, even his best weren't enough to get past a faster and more powerful Nadal. By the end of the match, speed and awareness was far more valuable that wisdom and placement. 

Federer is still a great tennis player, but his days in laying claim to the best is over. That argument will be settled between Nadal and Novak Djokovic from here on out. 

Follow @gabezal