MELBOURNE, Australia - At an Australian Open marked by upsets and new story lines, Rafael Nadal will play Sundays final against a man often called the "other" Swiss tennis player. Darius Garland Jersey . Now, after a stunning run in Melbourne, Stanislas Wawrinka has a new nickname: The Stanimal — a tribute to his gritty, fight-until-the end style of tennis. Fittingly, perhaps, the name was apparently coined by none other than Roger Federer, in a tweet of support for his friend which quickly caught on earlier in the tournament. Now that Federer is out of the running — he lost to Nadal in the semifinals — the 17-time Grand Slam winner and long-time ambassador for Swiss tennis has joined those cheering for Wawrinka to win his first Grand Slam final. It is a match that holds historical significance for all three players. If the No. 1-ranked Nadal wins, as the odds suggest he will, the 27-year-old Spaniard will become the first player to win each of the majors twice in the Open era. It would be his 14th Grand Slam trophy and bring him one step closer to Federers all-time record of 17. If No. 8-ranked Wawrinka beats Nadal to win his first major title, he catapults to a career high of No. 3 in the rankings. Just reaching the final assures Wawrinka of the No. 5 spot, meaning for the first time he will pass Federer, who is now ranked sixth. On the eve of the final, Wawrinka said he was still shocked by his success. "Its insane. Its incredible," the 28-year-old Wawrinka said Saturday, speaking to reporters in English and in his native French. "I never imagined that one day I would be here, playing in the final." After a breakthrough year in 2013, Wawrinka is playing the best tennis of his life in Melbourne. He knocked out three-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals and beat No. 7 Tomas Berdych in the semifinals. He knows how tough it will be to beat Nadal — hes tried and failed 12 times. "Ive played him so many times, and lost so many times, but Im going to try again," Wawrinka said. "I know what I have to do. I know that I have to play aggressive, serve really well, and try to always push him." "Im playing my best tennis here," Wawrinka added. "Physically, Im ready.". Nadal says hes ready, too, for a breakthrough at what he calls his unluckiest Grand Slam. Nadal won in Melbourne in 2009 but in subsequent years struggled with injuries during or before the seasons first major. He missed the 2013 Australian Open during a seven-month layoff for illness and a knee injury. He returned to win the French and U.S. Open last year but reaching the final in Melbourne holds special significance. "After missing last year for me its really, really emotional to be back on this court, Rod Laver Arena, and to be able to play another final," said Nadal, who has known Wawrinka since they were teens, playing junior tournaments in Europe. "Hes a good friend, a great guy. Im so happy for him that hes in the final. He deserves it," Nadal said. "I know it will be a very, very tough match." Wawrinkas other longtime friend, Federer, had hoped Sundays story would be about an all-Swiss final. But after losing the latest installment of the Federer-Nadal rivalry, hes cheering for Wawrinka. "I hope he wins, and I hope he gives everything he has," Federer said. "Theres no reason not believe that he can beat Rafa." "Stans in his first Grand Slam final, so that makes Stan also unpredictable. Hes got to use that to his advantage." Rodney Hood Cavaliers Jersey .Stanton suffered fractures in his face and other injuries when he was hit by a pitch Sept. 11. The Marlins are confident hell fully recover and be ready for spring training, and they hope to reach a long-term agreement with him. Cedi Osman Cavaliers Jersey . -- All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham and the New Orleans Saints met Tuesday for arbitration on his contract. https://www.thecavalierslockerroom.com/Matthew-Dellavedova-City-Edition-Jersey/ . The premature end left 26 players still to finish the round in the Asian Tour event. Siddikur, who shot a bogey-free first round to share the lead with five others, eagled the par-5 first hole before bogeying twice and rebounding with six birdies.GREEN BAY, Wis. - Julius Peppers crossed the goal line and caught his breath. But his work wasnt done after returning an interception 49 yards for a touchdown. Teammate Morgan Burnett pointed to the stands a€” time for Peppers first Lambeau Leap. One of many for the Packers on Thursday night. Aaron Rodgers threw for three scores, and Eddie Lacy ran for a season-high 105 yards and two touchdowns in the 42-10 rout of the Minnesota Vikings. Jordy Nelson hauled in a 66-yard touchdown catch. Things were going so well in Green Bay that even Peppers found his way to the end zone through the mist. But something was missing. (Burnett)just said, Go, go, go, go! Peppers recounted. This is all new to Peppers after joining the Packers in the off-season as a free agent. It was actually pretty tough to get up there. I was pretty tired after that run, so I barely got up there, Peppers said. It was tough. The Vikings had it much worse. The Packers led 28-0 after the first half played in a light rain. They essentially toyed with Minnesota the rest of the way. Green Bay outplayed us, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. They were more physical than we were. They did a much better job all night. Peppers had the highlight-reel play in the second quarter after picking off a pass over the middle from Christian Ponder, who was hit by tackle Luther Robinson as he released the throw. The 34-year-old Peppers veered left across the field and waited for blocks before striding the final 10 yards along the sideline to make it 21-0 with 7:06 left in the second quarter. Peppers became the first player in NFL history with 100 sacks and 10 interceptions. I like the way it went tonight, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. Yeah, Ill take this. Ponder struggled in getting the start at quarterback with rookie Teddy Bridgewater out with a sprained left ankle. Jamari Lattimore intercepted Ponders pass over the middle on Minnesotas drive after the Peppers touchdown, setting up Rodgers 11-yard scoring pass to Davante Adams to give Green Bay a four-touchdown lead with 4:55 left in the first half. That was Rodgers 200th career touchdown a€” though he let Adams keep the ball in honour of his first career score. Im very proud of Aaron, McCarthy said. It seems like hes in the point of his career now where every week or every other week hes breakiing a record. Rodney Hood Jersey. The rest of the game was a mere formality. Fans took delight in showering former Green Bay receiver Greg Jennings with boos whenever he touched the ball. Jennings finished with two catches for 31 yards. Rodgers was 12 of 17 for 156 yards a€” and the offence wasnt really at its best. There were several three-and-outs sprinkled among the touchdown drives. But after a short week to get ready for a Thursday night game, the Packers will surely relish this win over a long weekend. On the touchdown to Nelson, Rodgers found the NFLs leading receiver on play-action. Nelson caught the pass stride at the 20 and easily outraced safety Harrison Smith into end zone for the Packers second touchdown. Rodgers also connected with Randall Cobb for an 8-yard touchdown pass set up by three straight long runs by Lacy. Cobb scored his league-leading sixth touchdown of the season. The Packers struggling running game also got back on track, with Lacy running for touchdowns on back-to-back drives in the third quarter. He barrelled over safety Robert Blanton into the end zone on his second score, from 10 yards out. Eddie, you know, hes going to be a guy whos just going to be continuing to lay on people and to be more of a force as the weather continues to turn here, Rodgers said. In contrast, Minnesota rarely advanced past midfield. Its only venture across the 50 in the first half ended with Burnett forcing Matt Asiata to fumble after an 11-yard run, and Casey Hayward recovered the Vikings third consecutive turnover. Under pressure much of the night, Minnesota could rarely get anything going through the air until late with the game well in hand. Ponder was 22 of 44 for 222 yards. Green Bay finished with six sacks, including 1 1/2 apiece for Mike Daniels and former Viking Letroy Guion. The Vikings finally broke the shutout on Ponders 6-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter. But they still trailed 42-7. Playing like that, you dont have much to say. It was embarrassing. Thats not the way I expected to come out and play, Ponder said. Minnesota had the most notable injury when receiver Cordarelle Patterson left with a hip injury early in the third quarter after making a 6-yard catch. For Green Bay, defensive lineman Datone Jones left in the second quarter with an ankle injury. ' ' '