Melbourne - Fernando Verdasco almost denied Rafael Nadal a first-ever final at the Australian Open, but the top seed survived to win the longest match ever played at Melbourne Park, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4 on Friday.

The 14th-seed Verdasco, munching on apples during changeovers instead of the customary bananas, came close to stunning the normally invincible Nadal in a record-breaking marathon match lasting five hours, 14 minutes.

That eclipsed the previous mark of five hours, 11 minutes, set by Boris Becker and Italian Omar Camporese in 1991.

A weary-looking Nadal missed on five break point chances in the final set as Verdasco showed class as he stayed in the chase 4-4 with his 20th ace.

But two double-faults in the final game by Verdasco after saving two match points finally ended the drama.

"I feel very happy more than tired," said Nadal, who faces Roger Federer on Sunday night for the title. "It will be tough to play a final in two days and the opponent will be very difficult." (dpa)