"He's one match away"

29 January, 2010 | 19:01

Soon after Roger Federer walked off court on Friday (match duration: 1hr 28mins), he spoke at length (press conference duration: 1hr 15mins!) in all manner of languages about Sunday's final.

The Federer view - and fair enough - is that in one corner we have the seasoned 'slammer' with 15 titles, and in the other an upstart with just the one final appearance to his name.

One final appearance and a load of pressure, apparently.

"I think he really needs it more than I do, so I think the pressure's big on him," said Federer.

"But we'll see how he's going to handle it. It's not going to be easy for him, that's for sure."

The Swiss has been there himself of course; once-upon-a-time he was an upstart without a slam. All of which informs his now familiar psychological sparring.

"Now that he didn't win the first one, I think doesn't help for the second one around," he said.

"Plus he's playing me, who's won many Grand Slams prior to that, been able to win here three times so I know what it takes and how to do it, which is definitely an advantage."

The Swiss rightly points out that head-to-head records (Andy leads 6-4) count for nothing in the world of five sets. He was quick to put that head-to-head into context anyway.

"First of all, he's a good player. I don't think otherwise you're just going to start having good records against me," said the 28-year-old.

"But without taking anything away from him, I think a few times he played me I wasn't at my very, very best.

"So I think the head-to-head could be quite different. That's why I don't really care too much about how the head-to-head stands. Every match is played differently."

But with just a set dropped, and Nadal and Cilic lying by the wayside, he did concede Andy had come through strong so far.

"I think he's done really well handling the pressure," said Federer later.

"I think once your game is good enough, even on your off days to come through, I think that's what he's proving here at the Australian Open now. He's one match away. I'll make sure it won't happen. We'll see how it goes."

Bring on Sunday.