Spaniard Rafael Nadal was not intimidated by the aggressive deployment of Roger Federer, and won masterfully 7-6 ( 4), 6-3 , 6-3 in two hours and 24 minutes to reach the Australia Open Finals for the third time. Nadal will face Stanislas Wawrinka this Sunday January 26.

Nadal returns to the Finals in Melbourne after defeating Federer in 2009 and losing to Novak Djokovic in 2012.

It’s obvious Nadal knows the way to defeat Federer. The Swiss player has failed to win a Grand Slam match against the Spaniard since Wimbledon 2007. Nadal has 23 wins agains 10 losses.

“It’s an incredible feeling, after I lost last year,” Nadal said of his third final in Melbourne and his absence in 2013. “It is a great honor to play against him (Federer). This makes this match very special.”

“I am proud to have played against him today. And now I want to enjoy this victory against Roger, because to start the season with a Final in the first Grand Slam is amazing,” he added .

If Nadal wins Sunday against Wawrinka he will achieve his fourteenth Grand Slam Final tying Pete Sampras and place him third behind Federer in the lead. The Spaniard will become the third player in history to win twice each of the four tournaments that make up the Grand Slam, after the Australians Rod Laver and Roy Emerson .

Nadal made ​​a huge show of strength and courage to destroy the hopes of his great friend and rival. With great champions in the stands, Australians Rod Laver, Kenny Roswell, and Pete Sampras, Nadal did not give more options to Federer and sealed the match with skill.

On Sunday’s Australian Finals Nadal will have the opportunity to increase his legend and keep his number one status.