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.

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.

Melbourne, Jan 30 : A lawsuit involving late actor Heath Ledger''s 10 million dollar life insurance policy has been settled.

ReliaStar Life Insurance initially had refused to pay out on Ledger''s 10 million dollars life policy over pending investigation into whether the actor committed suicide.

But, the lawyer representing the actor's daughter Matilda''s trust, William Shernoff, said that the insurance company has agreed to settle the case.

Melbourne  - Dinara Safina is prepared to celebrate with a chocolate cake should she deny Serena Williams a fourth title at the Australian Open when the pair meet in Saturday's women's final.

Safina, younger sister of 2005 men's champion Marat Safin, is also playing for history with the match-winner taking over the number one WTA ranking from Jelena Jankovic.

In addition, a dream victory would bury the demon of Safin's Roland Garros finals loss to Ana Ivanovic on clay last spring in Paris.

Melbourne  - Jelena Dokic made more than a run to glory with her surprise Australian Open quarter-final. The comeback player also headed straight for the bank - the result of a new 680,000-dollar sponsor contract.

The 25-year-old, who nearly quit the game two years ago due to depression after a flame-out as a teenaged star and a split with her dominating father, has signed a deal with Australia's Jetstar airlines.