AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2007: Men's Final Preview

Roger Federer (SUI)[1] vs. Fernando González (CHI)[10]. This is a highly anticipated, if somewhat unlikely, championship match-up, particularly after both finalists demolished their prior round opponents, Andy Roddick and Tommy Haas in straight sets. Federer is the 9-time Grand Slam champion on track to become proclaimed the Greatest Of All Time while González is the reigning 2004 Olympic Bronze medalist with the blistering forehand who has lost every single match he has ever played against Federer and is now facing him in his first ever Grand Slam final.

Fernanado González has actually played better tennis than Federer in the tournament, against rather good opponents. He had an astounding 42 winners to 3 unforced errors (+39) against Haas, +25 against Rafael Nadal (ESP)[2], +28 against James Blake (USA)[5] and +51 against Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)[19]. Federer has hit 240 winners to 150 unforced errors (+90), while González has hit 307 winners to 130 errors (+177!) It's no wonder that 2007 Australian Open Women's champion was watching video of only two people's matches during the tournament: her own, and the man they call Fena, Fernando González.

Fernanado González is also a big match player, so should not be intimidated by playing Roger Federer in his first Grand Slam final, however in the end I don't think it will matter: history will not be denied, and Federer will improve to 10-0 against Fena and 10-1 in Grand Slam finals.

PREDICTION: Federer, in four sets.