Match updates: Aus Open semi final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal in his court side interview:

Nadal remains humble in victory, praises Roger as the greatest talent and the best player in the world. About the victory he says he kept on trying his best, asked about the injury to his palm, it's very tough especially playing a best of 5 match against Roger. Rafa sign's off thanking everybody.

Set 3:

Federer fails yet again to get past the gladitorial spirit of Rafael Nadal. 7-6, 6-3, 6-3 another demoralizing loss for the Swiss master against the Spanish matador.

The match has been pretty one-sided with Nadal dominating most of the time despite the blister in his playing palm. Another straight sets loss looming large for Federer.

Both players trading breaks early in the third set with Rafa's level of play dropping a bit, can Federer cash in on the slender chance? 2-2 and duece on Federer's serve.

Set 2:

What are the chances that Federer can come back from a 2 set deficit against Nadal in a Grand Slam semi-final? Almost nil. Serving for the second set Nadal comes back from 0-30 down to win the game and the set. Can Federer delay the inevitable?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Federer crumbles under the relentless pressure as after 7 chances Rafa manages break Federer's serve, first break point of the match. Nadal leads 5-2 in the second set.

Federer has never beaten Rafa in a hard court Grand Slam battle.

The great champ that Roger is, he should be more concerned about his inability to bother Nadal whatsoever than complaining about Nadal taking to much time between serves.

Rafa gets some immediate medical to the painful blister on his palm. While Roger gets some time to think.

Nadal to serve in the second set with a set to love advantage.

Set 1

Rafa wins that crucial first set. 6-6(7-6) in the tie break. Federer managed to remain toe-to-toe for the most part in the first set, falling behind when it mattered.

Nadal is winning those slug fests as has always been the case.

Here comes the moment of truth for Federer trailing 1-5 in the first set tie break.

The interesting moment in the first set came in the seventh game when.

Federer comes back 0-40 to save three break points and hold serve to go 4-3 up.

Again in the ninth game, down a break Federer comes back strongly.

Federer is making more errors than Rafa but he is also hitting more winners.

As both players are unable to achieve a break of serve, Nadal has to hold to stay in the set as her serves at 5-6.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal revive their rivalry at the Rod Laver arena. Rafa has been Roger's nemesis for some time now.

However, with a resurgent Federer and a painful blister in his playing hand the spaniard has his work cut-out.

So far Roger Federer has shown glimpses of his former self while, Rafa has proven time and again why he is regarded as the ultimate fighter in this tournament.

The stage is set for rivetting clash. It is the 33rd time the titans clash with the spaniard leading 22-10 and on hard-courts it's 8-6.

It is a paradox of life that Federer who is considered by most as the GOAT(greatest of all time) is usually not the favourite against the second best player of his generation.

Can he present his case better today? Lets watch the match to find out.