An All-Yokozuna Mens' Final

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Rafael Nadal followed his fellow Yokozuna (=Grand Champion) Roger Federer into the Australian Open final by wrestling his compatriot M5E Fernando Verdasco to defeat in five gruelling and gripping sets.

This is the 7th time Federer and Nadal meet in a Grand Slam final, but the first time for both to meet as Yozokuna. The last all-Yokozuna Grand Slam final was at the 2005 US Open, when Federer beat Andre Agassi in four sets.

It's hard to make out a clear favorite: while Nadal leads Federer 12-6 head-to-head (5-2 at slams), he trails Federer 2-3 on hard court, and Federer's record at the Australian Open is much better. Plus, Federer has looked awesome at these Open even since he overcame M8W Tomas Berdych in a tight five-setter in round 4.

Verdasco (picture) earns a career-first promotion to Komusubi (=Junior Champion II) for his heroics, joining Andy Murray -- demoted from Sekiwake (=Junior Champion I) -- and fellow first-time Komusubi Juan Martin del Potro at this rank. The other failed semi-finalist, former Ozeki (=Champion) Andy Roddick, who fell in three entertaining sets to Federer, moves up one rank from Komusubi to Sekiwake.

After the Australian Open, the mens' sanyaku-line-up will therefore be as follows:

Yokozuna: Federer, Nadal
Ozeki: Djokovic
Sekiwake: Roddick (up from K)
Komusubi: Murray (down from S), del Potro (up from M2), Verdasco (up from M5).