Nadal's "Fantastic Start" To Season

Rafael Nadal, who beat Roger Federer at the Australian Open on Thursday, says that reaching his 15th Grand Slam championship final is a fantastic way to the start the new season.

"[To] start the season with the final here is a fantastic start and that gives me a lot of confidence," said World No. 2 Nadal, who has now reached four straight major finals. "At the same time, [it] gives me confidence about how I [am] working.

"I played not bad [in] the second half of the season in 2011. Not bad, but not very well. So I really need to win points to stay in the top positions of the [South African Airways ATP] Rankings."

Nadal hit 54 of his 75 service points to Federer's backhand and 36 winners overall in a four-set semi-final victory in Melbourne.

"I [am] happy about how I am doing. When I am able to play inside [the baseline], to play aggressively, I think [my game is] working fantastic. I don't know if it's going to be enough against Novak or against Andy. I'm going to try my best to play a fantastic final, and hopefully I will have my chances."

Nadal will look to win his 11th major title against either World No. 1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic or No. 4-ranked Andy Murray in the title match. In 2011, Nadal lost all six finals he played against Djokovic.

So whom does Nadal want to face in Sunday's final? "I [would] prefer the player who is going to play worse that day," he said, smiling.

"But if [my] opponent plays better than me and he beats me, I'm going to go home very happy about my tournament. I'm going to go home knowing that the way I am working is working very well... and [it will] give me good success in the months [to come]."

Nadal, 25, will be looking to win his 47th tour-level title on Sunday.