Nadal beats Federer to win Australian Open

Posted January 31, 2009 10:00 pm

Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Rafael Nadal held off Roger Federer in another momentum-swinging five-set final to win the Australian Open, keeping the Grand Slam singles record safe for now.

After coming through the longest match in the tournament's history to reach the championship match, Nadal needed 4 hours, 23 minutes Sunday to win 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2.

Federer, who was trying to equal Pete Sampras' record 14 major titles, has now lost to Nadal the last three times they've met in Grand Slam finals.

The 22-year-old Nadal, who has four consecutive titles on clay at Roland Garros and beat Federer on grass in a five-set epic at Wimbledon last year, became the first Spaniard to win the Australian title.

He has won five of the seven Grand Slam finals he's played against Federer and is 13-6 overall against the 27-year-old from Swiss star.

Nadal beat Federer in the last French Open and Wimbledon finals and replaced him at No. 1 last August after winning the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.

Federer saved two championship points from 15-40 in the eighth game of the final set but sent a forehand long on the third match point.

Nadal flopped onto his back, then got up and raced to shake hands.

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