Melbourne, Jan. 31: Tennis legends are split over who will eventually win this year''s Australian Open men''s title -- Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal -- but all agree it could shape up as another match for the ages.

Between them, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe and Tony Roche won 27 grand slam titles.

Victory for Federer would give the brilliant Swiss a record-equalling 14th slam - more than half of that illustrious quarter put together.

Melbourne, Jan. 31 : Australian tennis coach Tony Roche is of the view that Swiss great Roger Federer is on a mission to reclaim the prized No. 1 ranking, as well as his 14th Grand Slam title.

Roche, who steered a chastened Ivan Lendl back to the top when the Czech-born American won his first Australian Open in 1989, has also coached Federer for three years, and is looking forward to Sunday to see whether history can be repeated 20 years later at the same venue.

Melbourne, Jan

Melbourne  - With Andy Murray long gone from the Australian Open, ever-present British interest has turned to 15-year-old starlet Laura Robson, Aussie-born but a UK passport holder.

The promising teenager, who caused a storm at home as she won the Wimbledon junior crown, stands 3/1 to win a Grand Slam event before her 30th birthday.

She has a chance to repeat in the Melbourne junior final against Russian Ksenia Pervak.

Melbourne - World number one Rafael Nadal would like Roger Federer to win the 14th Grand Slam title of his career to match Pete Sampras' record, although he hopes it will not be in Sunday's Australian Open final.

"I would personally like Federer to win 14," Nadal said Friday, after qualifying for the final. "I hope it will not be the day after tomorrow, but he deserves it."

However, the Spaniard said he does not think the possibility of making the record will affect Federer in the definitive Australian Open match.