MELBOURNE, Australia (AP):

Rafael Nadal held off Roger Federer in another momentum-swinging five-set final to win the Australian Open yesterday, keeping the Grand Slam singles record safe for now.

After coming through the longest match in the tournament's history to reach the championship match, top-ranked Nadal needed four hours, 23 minutes to win it 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2.

Federer, who was trying to equal Pete Sampras' record 14 major titles, has now lost to Nadal the last three times they've met in Grand Slam finals.

Couldn't hold tears

The 27-year-old Swiss couldn't hold back tears at the presentation.

"Maybe I'll try later. God, it's killing me," Federer said, sobbing. He returned to congratulate Nadal within minutes, saying: "You deserved it. You played a fantastic final."

Nadal collected the trophy and put his arm around Federer.

"Roger, sorry for today. I really know how you feel right now," Nadal said.

"Remember, you're a great champion, you're one of the best in history."

He accepted the cup from Rod Laver, who was in Australia to mark the start of the 40th anniversary of the last Grand Slam season.

"To receive this trophy from Rod Laver is a dream for me," Nadal said.

Federer, so dominant when he won three of the four majors in both 2006 and 2007, has now lost Grand Slam finals on three different surfaces to Nadal.

Grand Slam

Now it's the 22-year-old Nadal who seems more likely to be the first since Laver to complete a Grand Slam with wins in one year in all four majors.

Nadal, who has four consecutive titles on clay at Roland Garros and beat Federer on grass in a five-set epic at Wimbledon last year, became the first Spaniard to win the Australian title. He has now won five of the seven Grand Slam finals he's played against Federer and is 13-6 overall against the Swiss star.

Gold medal

Nadal ended Federer's 237-week streak at No. 1 last August after winning the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.

Federer, who turned around his last season with a US Open title, saved two championship points from 15-40 in the eighth game of the fifth set but sent a forehand long on the third.

Nadal flopped onto his back, then got up and raced to shake hands.

The players put an arm around the other's shoulder at the net as they walked off the court.

Drenched in sweat, Nadal raised his fist, applauded the crowd's standing ovation, then went over to shake hands with his coach and other supporters.

Although Federer actually won one more point - 174-173 - his serve let him down all too frequently. He connected on only 51 per cent of his first serves and it seemed all of his six double-faults came at critical times.