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MELBOURNE - World No.1 Roger Federer admits he is surprised Fernando Gonzalez stands between him and his 10th grand slam victory at the Australian Open tonight.
Attempting to become the first man in 27 years to romp through a major without dropping a set, Federer said he expected a tough match against the Chilean, who has been in irresistible touch on his way to the final.
The defending champion conceded he was expecting either No.2 seed Rafael Nadal or Russian third seed Nikolay Davydenko to make the final.
But 10th seed Gonzalez, who eliminated Nadal, Lleyton Hewitt and James Blake before destroying experienced German Tommy Haas in the semi-finals, evokes memories of last year when Marcos Baghdatis came out of nowhere to lose to Federer in the decider.
Still, Federer is cautiously optimistic.
"I'm used to all situations, really," he said.
"I just played him recently in Madrid and Basel, which is probably going to help me a lot.
"I feel good. A few days off always helps to relax mentally a little bit. I feel like I'm playing well, especially the last match was fantastic."
Federer steamrolled sixth seed Andy Roddick in his semi-final, winning 6-4 6-0 6-2 in less than 90 minutes in a scintillating performance.
And he doesn't believe nerves will be a factor for Gonzalez tonight.
"He's a big-occasion player, like Marcos as well. I tried to wait and see what Marcos was going to do last year.
"I paid the price for it (and lost the first set) because he was playing so well, he was so confident, he was serving big, hitting big forehands.
"That's exactly what Fernando is going to do."
Federer boasts a 9-0 win-loss record over Gonzalez and has beaten the South American on all surfaces - clay, grass, carpet and hard court.
Gonzalez is approaching the biggest match of his life with a quiet sense of belief.
It is his first grand slam final, having never graduated to the business end of a major until Melbourne.
"It's a tough match. He's the No.1 player in the world by far," Gonzalez said.
"He's the favourite. I lost many times with him.
"But I'm playing much better now than the last time that we played.
"And it's only one match. I'm going to give everything that I have to try to win my first slam."
- AAP