That’s not dismissing the challenge of Stanislas Wawrinka, who has already booked his place in Sunday’s showdown, but merely highlighting the task ahead of him.
The ‘Stanimal’, as his countryman Roger Federer calls him, has admitted an all-Swiss final would be enticing, but either way Wawrinka will be the longest of long shots come Sunday night.
He certainly upset the odds in overcoming Novak Djokovic, who for the best part of three years was unbeatable in Melbourne. And he simply wore down Tomas Berdych last night in a gruelling four-set semi-final.
His defensive skills, perhaps only surpassed by Andy Murray on the men’s tour, will have to come to the fore for Wawrinka to have any chance.
Because waiting on the other side of the Rod Laver Arena net will be either Federer, a 17-time Grand Slam winner, or Nadal, who has 13.
Tonight’s clash may well be the most eagerly anticipated of the entire tournament. Both men are legends of the sport and both are in the midst of resurgences after losses of form and fitness. They look like the true champions they’ve always been and it’s easy to argue the contest will go five sets and last long into the night. It’ll be worth staying up for.
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