Ground-Breaking Winners - The Australian Open

I was just thinking that whoever now wins the Australian Open it will in some way be a ground-breaking win.

From the top half of the draw either Tomas Berdych or Stan Wawrinka will go into the final hunting for their first ever slam win. A huge step up for them and establishing themselves as slam winners after years of hard graft but little result to show for it.

Grigor Dimitrov has long been touted as a star of the future and at last he has reached a slam quarter-final and if by some chance he finds a way to win this slam does it finally usher in a new era in men's tennis? A win for him would certainly change the dynamics of men's tennis one feels.

Rafael Nadal would take much from a win. Another slam closer to Roger's total and strengthening belief the record would one day be his plus it would mean he holds three slam titles at the same time. Who knows - if he were to win at Roland Garros (a fair bet) he could travel to Wimbledon with the chance of holding all four slams at the same time. What an achievement that would be!!

Roger Federer has been written off by many as a spent-force, urged to retire by some and a win here would be an incredible achievement to bookend his career. At 32 he would go down as one of the oldest winners of a slam ever and it would also increase his slam haul to perhaps a point that takes it out of Rafa's reach. Also it could revitalise Roger to go on a streak in the twilight of his career.

Andy Murray has just come back from back surgery after three months out. He had played one competitive match coming into this sla and to win here beating Roger and Rafa in the process (looks the likely) scenario then an old thorn in his side (Stan Wawrinka) it would surely be his most impressive slam win to date considering what he has been through in the last few months.

May the best man win - and rewrite the record books.   

Good stuff Craig. A few more:

Nadal would also become the first man to win all slams at least twice should he be the champion at the end of the week.

Murray would be the first man to win a slam having lost three finals at that event prior.

Federer would be the first man to win 5 Australian Opens, and he continues to extend his match win record at the event.

Dimitrov - first Bulgarian winner of a slam, I believe?

If Nadal faces Federer in the Semis, then it's an incredibly vital match, as (given the semi) it's potentially a two slam swing. Nadal wins, he's three away, Roger wins, five slams off.

Let's also not forget a win for Rafa puts him equal with Sampras, an achievement in itself

Silver - Didnt Roger lose three finals in Roland Garros?

06,07,08,'11.

You're quite right, kingraf/LS - my apologies.

Er...first person to win the AO after losing three finals there? Doesn't quite have the same ring to it, mind