Melbourne , Australia ( CNN ) -- Even a new , high-profile coach could n't help Roger Federer figure out Rafael Nadal . Federer had n't beaten Nadal in seven years in a grand slam -- and on a chilly night in Melbourne the world No . 1 kept the streak alive , improving his record over the Swiss to 23-10 overall as he advanced to the Australian Open final . The Spaniard pulled out a tight first set and then cruised to a 7-6 ( 7-4 ) 6-3 6-3 victory Friday to set up an encounter with Federer 's compatriot , Stanislas Wawrinka . `` I played a lot of times against Roger , and a lot of times I played great against him , '' Nadal told reporters . `` So probably that 's why I had this success against him . '' If Nadal wins Sunday he would rise to 14 majors and tie American Pete Sampras -- in attendance at Rod Laver Arena during a rare foray to a grand slam in retirement -- for second on the men 's all-time list behind Federer . The odds are heavily stacked in his favor given he is even more dominant against debutant grand slam finalist Wawrinka , not losing a set in their 12 encounters . Wawrinka progressed Thursday by downing Czech Tomas Berdych . Federer sought the services of Stefan Edberg in an effort to regain his old form and the 32-year-old , troubled by his back in 2013 , duly produced big wins over former Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Wimbledon champion Andy Murray this fortnight . But Nadal 's transition from defense to offense thwarted Federer , as he continued to enjoy success employing his heavily spun forehand to the Federer backhand and he served impeccably . Nadal , who won the French and U.S . Opens last year in a successful return from knee problems , was broken only once -- in the middle of the third set . Blog : Honor in defeat for Federer . `` Playing Murray or Rafa is day and night , '' Federer told reporters . `` It 's just every point is played in a completely different fashion and I have to totally change my game . '' Edberg was a serve-and-volleyer who triumphed at Wimbledon twice , and Federer was n't afraid to approach the net . However , he has used the tactic in the past against Nadal and on Friday won only 55 % of net points . Indeed Nadal did n't think Federer tried much new -- saying he perused YouTube and watched some of their 2012 Melbourne semifinal , which he also won before losing the title match to Novak Djokovic . `` I think he tried to play very aggressive , taking the ball very early , '' said Nadal . `` But if you go to YouTube and you see the video of the 2012 match , you will see that he was playing very , very aggressive , too , especially the beginning of the match . `` So nothing is completely new . '' Nadal 's passing shots left the crowd gasping , especially a forehand down the line in the final game . `` Coming into the match I thought we would have a chance today but the way the match came about , Rafa played very , very well and Roger did n't have that many chances , '' Edberg told a small group of reporters . `` Playing against Rafa at this level is very hard , '' he added . `` It was n't enough today , but I think he 's made a lot of progress over the last three months . `` It 's looking good for the rest of the year . He still has a way to go before he is back to the level where he can be . '' Edberg said the match might have turned out differently had Federer broken early in the first set . He likely was referring to the fourth game , when Nadal escaped a 0-30 hole . Nadal raced to a 5-1 lead in the tiebreak , closed out the set and broke on his eighth chance of the match to take a 4-2 stranglehold in the second . By that time Nadal took a medical timeout for a lingering blister on his left palm and Federer complained to the chair umpire -- not for the first time in his career -- about the left-hander 's grunting . Despite the loss , Edberg remained upbeat about Federer 's chances of achieving an 18th major . `` Roger had a tough year last year , '' said Edberg . `` At least now he feels healthy , which is No . 1 . No . 2 he needs to put in a lot of work , which he is doing . `` He just needs to gain a bit more momentum , a bit more confidence . That will come with time . I think in a few months you should see him even better than what we 've seen this week . '' Nadal , who won the tournament in 2009 but was absent last year , is doing fine at the moment .
Rafael Nadal beats Roger Federer in straight sets to reach Australian Open final . World No . 1 will face Federer 's fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in Sunday 's rubber . Top seed Murray has won each of his past five matches against Murray . He improves his record against 17-time grand slam champion to 23 - 10 .