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MELBOURNE, Australia - At an Australian Open marked by upsets and new story lines, Rafael Nadal will play Sundays final against a man often called the "other" Swiss tennis player. Authentic Jerseys Wholesale . Now, after a stunning run in Melbourne, Stanislas Wawrinka has a new nickname: The Stanimal — a tribute to his gritty, fight-until-the end style of tennis. Fittingly, perhaps, the name was apparently coined by none other than Roger Federer, in a tweet of support for his friend which quickly caught on earlier in the tournament. Now that Federer is out of the running — he lost to Nadal in the semifinals — the 17-time Grand Slam winner and long-time ambassador for Swiss tennis has joined those cheering for Wawrinka to win his first Grand Slam final. It is a match that holds historical significance for all three players. If the No. 1-ranked Nadal wins, as the odds suggest he will, the 27-year-old Spaniard will become the first player to win each of the majors twice in the Open era. It would be his 14th Grand Slam trophy and bring him one step closer to Federers all-time record of 17. If No. 8-ranked Wawrinka beats Nadal to win his first major title, he catapults to a career high of No. 3 in the rankings. Just reaching the final assures Wawrinka of the No. 5 spot, meaning for the first time he will pass Federer, who is now ranked sixth. On the eve of the final, Wawrinka said he was still shocked by his success. "Its insane. Its incredible," the 28-year-old Wawrinka said Saturday, speaking to reporters in English and in his native French. "I never imagined that one day I would be here, playing in the final." After a breakthrough year in 2013, Wawrinka is playing the best tennis of his life in Melbourne. He knocked out three-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals and beat No. 7 Tomas Berdych in the semifinals. He knows how tough it will be to beat Nadal — hes tried and failed 12 times. "Ive played him so many times, and lost so many times, but Im going to try again," Wawrinka said. "I know what I have to do. I know that I have to play aggressive, serve really well, and try to always push him." "Im playing my best tennis here," Wawrinka added. "Physically, Im ready.". Nadal says hes ready, too, for a breakthrough at what he calls his unluckiest Grand Slam. Nadal won in Melbourne in 2009 but in subsequent years struggled with injuries during or before the seasons first major. He missed the 2013 Australian Open during a seven-month layoff for illness and a knee injury. He returned to win the French and U.S. Open last year but reaching the final in Melbourne holds special significance. "After missing last year for me its really, really emotional to be back on this court, Rod Laver Arena, and to be able to play another final," said Nadal, who has known Wawrinka since they were teens, playing junior tournaments in Europe. "Hes a good friend, a great guy. Im so happy for him that hes in the final. He deserves it," Nadal said. "I know it will be a very, very tough match." Wawrinkas other longtime friend, Federer, had hoped Sundays story would be about an all-Swiss final. But after losing the latest installment of the Federer-Nadal rivalry, hes cheering for Wawrinka. "I hope he wins, and I hope he gives everything he has," Federer said. "Theres no reason not believe that he can beat Rafa." "Stans in his first Grand Slam final, so that makes Stan also unpredictable. Hes got to use that to his advantage." Cheap Tennessee Titans Jerseys . Ronaldo netted his 14th goal of the season in Europes top competition to give Madrid a clear advantage ahead of next weeks quarterfinal return leg in Germany. But it came at a price as the Portugal forward, who came into the first-leg nursing a sore left knee, came off in the 80th minute. Wholesale Jerseys .com) - The Miami Heat stopped a four-game losing streak last time out and thats the same length slide their opponents Wednesday night, the Denver Nuggets, will try to halt when the two teams meet at the Pepsi Center. http://www.cheapauthenticwholesalenfljerseys.com/ . -- Kenneth Faried made a turnaround hook shot over Draymond Green with a half-second remaining, and the Denver Nuggets made Golden State wait at least one more game to secure a playoff berth with a stunning 100-99 win over the Warriors on Thursday night.SAN FRANCISCO - The Giants are planning their off-season around efforts to re-sign Pablo Sandoval.General manager Brian Sabean and his staff have told free-agent starting pitchers Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong that the World Series champions need time to try to strike a deal with Sandoval before turning their attention to the mound or any other position. The Giants made a $15.3 million qualifying offer that the switch-hitting third baseman wont accept by Mondays deadline.Weve engaged, but Ill leave it at that, Sabean said Thursday. Were three days in, so thats the best answer I can give.Giants CEO Larry Baer said his teams payroll will go up after San Franciscos third title in five years and the club will do what it can to keep Sandoval. San Franciscos payroll was $164.7 million at the end of the regular season, the sixth-highest in the majors.The 28-year-old Sandoval batted .279 with 16 homers and 73 RBIs in 157 regular-season games and .366 in the post-season with seven doubles and five RBIs, including four during a seven-game World Series win against Kansas City.While the 2012 Series MVP has said he would like to finish his career with the Giants, he will have other suitors and plans to listen.We dont have a solution in house so it would have to come from the outside, Sabean said. Im not going to address anybody at this time other than Pablo; thats who were engaged with. It wouldnt be fair to the other guys.Sabean said the futures of left fielder Michael Morse, Peavy and Vogelsong are on the backburner until third base is resolved. Both Baer and Sabean said a resolution could take a while.Even speculating at how the Giants might look at left field is tough for Sabean in this firstt week of free agency. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping. Were exploring any place that we may have a hole, he said. I cant guarantee what were going to do with our pending free agents to be, nor will I understand the landscape more until Pablos resolved. Having said that, if something jumps up, were prepared to react, bring it to Larry and make a quick decision.The Giants have expressed interest in other players who could become available to fill voids on the roster.When asked whether he might consider a hometown discount, Sandoval said: I dont want to talk about that. Its not my job. Ive got an agent. He focuses on that. When hes got a deal right, I just want to talk about it.Sandoval has appreciated seeing the Giants brass keep other key members of the team, such as signing catcher Buster Posey and World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner and right-hander Matt Cain to long-term deals.Id love to be here, Sandoval said after Fridays victory parade.The Giants hope the Venezuelan star stays loyal to the franchise that signed him as an amateur free agent in 2003.Weve put out feelers all over the board with our options, whether its other free agents or trade interest, Sabean said. But obviously Pablos the heavy lifting and that also meets the budget, too.While its unclear whether Peavy or Vogelsong will return, manager Bruce Bochy said struggling right-hander Tim Lincecum — barely used in the recent post-season run — will be back in the rotation come spring training. Lincecum signed a $35 million, two-year contract last October. He pitched his second no-hitter in 11 months on June 25 against San Diego.I see him going back in the rotation. We have a need there, I think thats fair to say, Bochy said. ' ' '