Spaniard Rafael Nadal believes he has already gone further at the Australian Open than he thought he was capable of.
Nadal moved through to his second final at Melbourne Park with a tough four-set victory over former world No.1 Roger Federer on Thursday night and now faces the tough task of combating either top seed Novak Djokovic or Andy Murray in Sunday's final.
The joy of winning a semi-final against Federer was something Nadal could not have anticipated in the lead-up to the tournament as he battled a knee problem and then had another injury concern just the day before his opening match of the tournament.
But Nadal has overcome any injury problems and is one win away from a second title in Melbourne.
"I have done much better than what I dreamed of three weeks ago," Nadal said after his win.
"Sunday afternoon, 24 hours before I played my first match, I was in my room crying because I believe I didn't have the chance to play Melbourne."
"Now, two weeks later I am here in the final."
"So it's a dream for me because I had very bad expectations 24 hours before the first match and now two weeks later I am playing well and I am in the final."
Nadal said his knee complaint is of no concern and he is feeling fresh heading into the title decider.
"I am feeling great and I happy about how I am doing," he exclaimed.
"I'm very happy about my tournament (so far) and I am going to try my best to try to play a fantastic final."
Nadal's plans to watch the semi-final between Djokovic and Murray on Friday night and unleash the same attacking game plan he used against Federer on his next opponent.
The 25-year-old said he had no preference on who he meets on Sunday.
"Both players are top players at a very high level," he said.
"Novak has the advantage that he won the last two Grand Slams and he is No.1 of the world, so he is coming with big confidence."
"But Andy is doing really well and has only lost one set at the first match of the tournament."
"I (would) prefer (to play) the player who is going to play worse that day."