In what can only be described as a truly epic final, Rafael Nadal has won the 2009 Men's Singles Australian Open for the first time in his career.
The World No.1 overcame rival Roger Federer, the World No.2 and 13-time Grand Slam winner, in yet another thrilling five set marathon of a match, winning 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-2.
In winning the Australian Open, Rafael 'The Matador' Nadal also becomes the first ever Spaniard to win the tournament, and only the 12th man in the Open Era to win three out of the four majors.
Sunday's match was the eighth meeting between the two in a Grand Slam final, with Nadal having the upper hand, winning the last four of their previous encounters, including that epic Wimbledon final last season.
However, going into today's game it seemed as though that statistic wouldn't count for much, considering just two days ago Nadal had to battle his way past fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, in a pulsating five-set thriller that took an astonishing five hours and 14 minutes to complete.
It was the 19th match in all competitions between the two, and Federer opened the proceedings as Nadal chose to receive.
And a wise decision it was from the 'Matador', as Federer hit a double fault and three unforced errors to give his Spanish counterpart the first game.
It mattered little as the Swiss maestro immediately came back, breaking Nadal's serve with a whopping forehand shot to take the second game.
This trend continued with both players sharing breaks until the decisive 11th game, when at 5-5 Nadal took the lead by slamming a powerful forehand shot past a bewildered Federer.
It was 6-5, and soon to be game, 7-5 and the first set to the Matador, thanks to two Federer forehand errors, and a brilliant forehand winner from Nadal.
In the second set, it was looking like Nadal might race into another lead, as the Spaniard started in blistering fashion, making the vital breakthrough in the fifth game.
But again this mattered little as a first double-fault of the match from Nadal culminated in a reserve of a break point in the sixth game. The game was then gifted to Federer after Nadal hit a sloppy forehand long to lose his service game.
Despite the usual stunning and totally unbelievable shots from both players, it was Federer who stormed on ahead, as he served for the second set and levelled the match to one apiece.
Both players were just too good for each other, and perhaps it was quite inevitable for the hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide that the third set would be where the two best currently in tennis would really slug it out for the lead.
Nadal took the opening game in a set that would end up being by far the longest of the match, before both players held serve to force a third set tie-break.
It was clear the 'Battle of Spain' in the second semi-final at Melbourne Park was taking it's toll on Nadal, as prior to the tie-break the Spaniard had to call for the trainer for some treatment on his right thigh.
For once, the stats would show Federer would have the upper hand in the tie-break, as the Swiss has won nine out of 16 breakers against his Spanish counterpart.