Rafael Nadal Beats Roger Federer To Win the Men's Singles 2009 Australian Open

In what can only be described as a truly epic final, Rafael Nadal has won the 2009 Men's Singles Australian Open for the first time in his career.

The World No.1 overcame rival Roger Federer, the World No.2 and 13-time Grand Slam winner, in yet another thrilling five set marathon of a match, winning 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-2.

In winning the Australian Open, Rafael 'The Matador' Nadal also becomes the first ever Spaniard to win the tournament, and only the 12th man in the Open Era to win three out of the four majors.

Sunday's match was the eighth meeting between the two in a Grand Slam final, with Nadal having the upper hand, winning the last four of their previous encounters, including that epic Wimbledon final last season.

However, going into today's game it seemed as though that statistic wouldn't count for much, considering just two days ago Nadal had to battle his way past fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, in a pulsating five-set thriller that took an astonishing five hours and 14 minutes to complete.

It was the 19th match in all competitions between the two, and Federer opened the proceedings as Nadal chose to receive.

And a wise decision it was from the 'Matador', as Federer hit a double fault and three unforced errors to give his Spanish counterpart the first game.

It mattered little as the Swiss maestro immediately came back, breaking Nadal's serve with a whopping forehand shot to take the second game.

This trend continued with both players sharing breaks until the decisive 11th game, when at 5-5 Nadal took the lead by slamming a powerful forehand shot past a bewildered Federer.

It was 6-5, and soon to be game, 7-5 and the first set to the Matador, thanks to two Federer forehand errors, and a brilliant forehand winner from Nadal.

In the second set, it was looking like Nadal might race into another lead, as the Spaniard started in blistering fashion, making the vital breakthrough in the fifth game.

But again this mattered little as a first double-fault of the match from Nadal culminated in a reserve of a break point in the sixth game. The game was then gifted to Federer after Nadal hit a sloppy forehand long to lose his service game.

Despite the usual stunning and totally unbelievable shots from both players, it was Federer who stormed on ahead, as he served for the second set and levelled the match to one apiece.

Both players were just too good for each other, and perhaps it was quite inevitable for the hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide that the third set would be where the two best currently in tennis would really slug it out for the lead.

Nadal took the opening game in a set that would end up being by far the longest of the match, before both players held serve to force a third set tie-break.

It was clear the 'Battle of Spain' in the second semi-final at Melbourne Park was taking it's toll on Nadal, as prior to the tie-break the Spaniard had to call for the trainer for some treatment on his right thigh.

For once, the stats would show Federer would have the upper hand in the tie-break, as the Swiss has won nine out of 16 breakers against his Spanish counterpart.

But then again, who ever cares about the stats? They clearly weren't important this time, as it was Nadal who prevailed, breaking free and winning the last four points before Federer double-faulted and handed his opponent the set.

The fourth set saw Federer grab an early break, before Nadal pegged back the three-time Australian Open champion to level the scores at 2-2.

Nadal looked the better of the two earning a pair of break points, but Federer halted the Spaniard with a notable backhand winner on the second break opportunity.

Federer looked in danger when a drop shot attempt should've been punished, but the return was hit wide by Nadal, before the best point of the match followed with Nadal producing a wonderful forehand winner.

A game littered with sheer quality came to an end after Federer deployed a couple of good serve-volleys to lead 3-2.

Nadal threw a couple of sloppy errors in the sixth game and Federer broke for the second time in the set, to take the match to yet another decisive fifth set encounter.

The final set went on serve until the all important fifth game, when Nadal gained that absolutely vital upper hand by going 4-1 ahead, as his opponent just simply appeared to fade.

In the poorest set of the match, Federer's fight fizzled out and he lost his serve again, with a weary-looking groundstroke sailing over the baseline to allow Nadal to capture his first Australian Open crown, on his third championship point.

So in the end it was not to be for Roger Federer, the Swiss simply unable to equal Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam titles.

However, it is there for all to see that if he can just continue with the amazing calibre of his tennis then surely that 14th, and then quite possibly 15th, Grand Slam title will not be far away at all.

As for Rafael Nadal on the other hand, all one can do is simply wonder in amazement at how this super-human of an athlete can just continue getting better and better.

Clearly, it seems like there can be no stopping one of the greatest Spanish athletes of all-time.