By Kamakshi Tandon

Roger Federer (SUI)[1] vs. Fernando Gonzalez (CHI)[10]Rod Laver Arena 7:30 pm

If recent form is any indication, this should be a thriller. Both Federer and Gonzalez have posted some stellar numbers coming in – Federer has hit 240 winners to 150 unforced errors so far in the event, while Gonzalez has an even more impressive 307 winners to 130 errors.

Unfortunately, recent form often goes out of the window on big occasions like a Grand Slam final. That's most likely to be true for Gonzalez: he’s defeated Lleyton Hewitt, James Blake and Tommy Haas in increasingly impressive performances but will be facing an entirely different level of player and different level of match when he walks out against Federer on Sunday. He does have one emotionally-equivalent experience he can draw on – partnering Nicholas Massu to win the mens’ doubles gold medal at the Olympics. The Chileans pulled through in five sets and Massu also took the singles, giving the country its first Olympic gold medals in any event.

Gonzalez is popular at home and will be hoping to give the population a better experience than the last time a Chilean reached the Australian Open final. Gonzalez was one of those who got up early to watch Marcelo Rios in 1998, only to be disappointed when the talented but enigmatic Chilean went down in three easy sets to Petr Korda.

Federer is battle-tested, of course, but even he wobbled briefly against Marcos Baghdatis last year. He’s determined not to let it happen again against this year’s surprise finalist. A win would give him his tenth Grand Slam singles crown and reinforce once again that he’s still well above the rest of the men’s field. Just how far above depends on how close the match is.

Prediction: Winners. Lots of winners.