Australian Open: Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal – in pictures

Fans wait outside the court – wonder who each one supports? Photograph: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Federer's coach, former grand slam champion Stefan Edberg, enters the court Photograph: Rick Rycroft/AP

The game is looking evenly matched in the first set, however, as Federer fails to find a chink in Nadal's armour, as the Spaniard matches the Swiss game for game Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Just like this general view of the court, the action is straight down the middle at this point, with the score at 5-5 Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Nadal battles on and looks to be taking the advantage as he takes the first-set tie-break Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

After an incredibly strong rally, sending Nadal all round the court, Federer sends the ball into the net just as he had the Spaniard on the ropes. Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The tension mounts as Nadal misses two break points in the fourth game of the second set. Federer works hard to come back and win the game after a return just hits the line. The score now stands at 2-2. Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

Nadal's steadily increasing dominance in this match is all the more remarkable considering the state of his left hand. Photograph: Andrew Brownbill/AP

Nadal makes the break point and moves away from Federer. It looks like the Swiss will have to pull something special out of the bag to claw this back. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Federer struggles on, but Nadal's advantage grows as he takes the second set. Photograph: Robert Prezioso/Getty Images

Pete Sampras watches the action from the stands. Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Federer's body language says it all – there's nothing that can be done as another break point goes Nadal's way, and winning the game slips out of out of the realm of possibility. Photograph: Eugene Hoshiko/AP

And Nadal wins it in straight sets: 7-6, 6-3, 6-3. Photograph: Aaron Favila/AP