He will be in search of his seventh grand slam title but will have to dispatch a previously little-known Cypriot to claim the crown.

The ice-cool Swiss won the year’s first major in 2004 – six months after his grand slam breakthrough at Wimbledon – and has been in supreme form ever since, reigning as the top men’s player in the world for the past two years.

More impressively is the unprecedented record the champion holds in major finals.

Federer, 24, has played in six grand slam finals and won them all, a statistic that is sure to trouble Baghdatis.

Not that Federer expects a player who has beaten Andy Roddick, Ivan Ljubicic and David Nalbandian to roll over under pressure.

“I think he’s relaxed enough not to get too worried about all this stuff, it seems,” said Federer. “So I expect him to play a good match. That’s what I have to expect. But I just have to make sure my performance is good and make it as hard as possible for him to win. That’s what I’m concerned about.”

They have met three times previously, and Federer has won each contest, most recently at the start of the month in Doha.

Baghdatis, unseeded and just 20 years old, came to Melbourne as a 250-1 outsider but has been apparently fearless on his way through to the final.

The youngster has also been encouraged onwards by an overwhelming amount of crowd support, with the local Greek community supporting him every step of the way.

“They helped me a lot throughout these two weeks, especially the ‘Greek Army’ like you call them. I mean, it was great,” he said. “They’re fantastic. They are just amazing.”

It would rank up there with the great sporting shocks if Baghdatis were to deny Federer the title and the underdog is focusing solely on his game, rather than worry about the daunting task which awaits.

“I’ve played him in a second round, third round, quarters. Now it’s in the final. So every day is different,” he said.

“I will just go in the match and play my game, just try not to make a lot of mistakes, just try to make him play.”

Baghdatis believes if he remains focused for the key moments of the match, the title could be his.

“I think that that will be the key, just play maybe better than him in the important points,” he said.

Federer is full of praise for his young opponent but at the same time remains confident of adding to his already overflowing trophy cabinet.

“He beat quality players and he totally deserves to be in the final, you know. Maybe he’s changed something in his game,” said Federer. “In two weeks he’s improved incredibly.”

Baghdatis feels their past matches mean nothing now they are in a grand slam final and vows he will not be overwhelmed by the occasion.

“It’s the first time I’m in a grand slam final, so it’s just really fun. I’m really excited,” he said. “But I think I'll have to stay focused, stay concentrated for the final.”