Johannesburg, Jan 25 : World number one Rafael Nadal has said that playing against Roger Federer always brings the best out of him after he pushed his way into the Australian finals with a straight-sets victory over the Swiss on Friday.

In breezy conditions inside Rod Laver Arena, Nadal romped to a 7-6(4) 6-3 6-3 victory - his 23rd in his 33 meetings with the former world number one - to set up a final against another Swiss, Stanislas Wawrinka.

According to Sport24, Nadal, who be going for his 14th Grand Slam title, said that he had played 'great' against Federer in many of the numerous matches between them, for which he may be successful against the Swiss star, adding that he also feels good that he played his best match in the semi-final against Federer.

Nadal has not dropped a set to Wawrinka in their 12 previous meetings but though the Swiss will be appearing in his first Grand Slam final on Sunday, the top seed said he expected an extremely tough battle. (ANI)