Rafael Nadal bids to tie Sampras, Stanislas Wawrink in way

American great Sampras will present the winner's trophy, with the Spanish marvel an overwhelming favourite to vanquish the popular and constantly improving Swiss for the year's opening Slam title. World number one Nadal has yet to drop a set in 12 encounters with Wawrinka, who knocked over three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic and world number seven Tomas Berdych to reach the final. Nadal again mastered his long-time rival Roger Federer in the semifinal, a result which installed Wawrinka as Swiss number one, to reach his third Australian final as he seeks to add his 2009 triumph. Victory would also make Nadal only the third man, after Australians Roy Emerson and Rod Laver, to have won each of the four Grand Slam titles twice.