Rafael Nadal missed out on glory Down Under on Sunday after a thriller to Roger Federer but on this day eight years ago, the Spaniard was all smiles after producing a breathtaking display against the Swiss to win his first Australian Open crown.

Coming into the match after a four-hour marathon semi, Nadal produced a display of incredible defiance to beat Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-2 in a contest that will go down as one of the best grand slam finals ever.

Both players were at their best but Nadal showed why he was the world number one, saving 13 of 19 break points as he refused to yield in.

The result saw him clinch his sixth major title after wins in France and Wimbledon.

Other memorable events that took place on this day:

1992: Denis Potvin’s Number 5 shirt becomes the first number retired by NY Islanders.

1998: England won the Under-19 World Cup after beating New Zealand by seven wickets. The squad included Owais Shah and Rob Key.

2004: New England Patriots beat Carolina Panthers, 32-29 to win the Super Bowl at the Reliant Stadium.

2014: Adam Silver becomes the fifth NBA commissioner.