Federer wary of dangerous Gonzalez

The Australian Open final appears to promise two possible scenarios, either the finest display of stroke-making in living memory or the maestro Roger Federer simply crushing Chilean dasher Fernando Gonzalez.

Both booked their places in the showpiece match on Rod Laver Arena with emphatic victories, based on phenomenal winning stroke statistics and an even more mind-numbing lack of errors.

But something has to give on Sunday.

Federer has yet to lose a set and his humiliating dismissal of Andy Roddick in the semi-finals was the best proof yet that the Swiss top seed is practically unbeatable.

However, similar could be said of Gonzalez, who has brushed aside title contenders Lleyton Hewitt, James Blake and Rafael Nadal en route to his first slam final.

The 10th seed's dismantling of Tommy Haas in Friday's semi, in which he defied logic by blasting 42 winners with only three unforced errors, suggests the two will put on an extraordinary show.

Federer more than anyone knows the threat of a fired-up Gonzalez who comes out swinging.

"When you play against Fernando, you always know it's going to be dangerous because he's got the ability to steamroll someone," the defending champion said.

"He's been very consistent, very impressive. I have to make sure I play a good match because anything else is not going to be good enough.

"I'm surprised to see Fernando in the finals. Not anything against him but I thought like a (Nikolay) Davydenko or Nadal would have come through. I think

Gonzalez will certainly have to change something drastically to end his career drought against the Swiss, who has only ever lost a Grand Slam final in Paris.

FREE SPIRIT

But Gonzalez is approaching the match with the same free spirit that characterises his cavalier strokeplay.

"I'm going to try to do the same thing that I've been doing," said Gonzalez, who conceded just five games to Haas, one fewer than Federer lost when overwhelming American Roddick.

"My forehand side I feel I can do anything I want. It is going to be tough but I'm playing a great level.

"It's the most important match of my life and he's the best player of the last many years, he's winning all the time. He'll have to lose some time, I'm going to try to do it on Sunday."

Federer is seeking Grand Slam title number 10 while Gonzalez would be the first Chilean to claim a major, and previous form suggests only one winner.

The Swiss holds a 9-0 career record and Gonzalez has only won two sets in all those matches.

Federer needed three relatively tight sets to beat the Chilean in his home town event at Basel last year and there is little debate that Gonzalez has improved significantly since that meeting and after hooking up with coach Larry Stefanki.

"I never beat him, I don't have any advantage with Roger," Gonzalez said. "But in tennis you always have a new opportunity, I have a really nice opportunity now."