By Phil Casey, PA Sport

Click here for Pat Cash's verdict
Click here for Hewitt factfile
Click here for 10 Nalbandian facts
Click here for 10 Hewitt Facts
Click here for head-to-head stats
Click here for previous surprise finalists
Click here for final comparison

Surprise package David Nalbandian will take an unbeaten record at Wimbledon into Sunday's men's singles final with hot favourite and world number one Lleyton Hewitt.

Nalbandian became the first player in the open era to make it into the final on his senior debut by completing a five-set victory over Belgium's Xavier Malisse in their rain-delayed semi-final.

The Argentinian is in fact playing his first ever senior grass court event, although he did win the junior doubles title at the All England Club in 1999.

And the 20-year-old also reached the semi-finals of the singles event in the same year, only to be disqualified for arriving late for his match.

"We were playing two matches the same day because it was raining the day before," explained Nalbandian, the 28th seed and world number 32.

"I played the quarter-final in the morning and the guy in the locker room said 'You play the semi at 3pm or 3:30pm' or something. Then I go to eat and come back and they said 'No, the match was 2:30pm.'

"I only played one year of juniors here so I've never lost a match at Wimbledon!"

That record is expected to go out of the window on Sunday however as he faces the top seed and current US Open champion, who demolished Tim Henman in straight sets on Friday.

But anything is possible in a championships full of shocks that saw Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Marat Safin all bow out in the space of a few hours in the first week.

"I think this is the best week of my life," added Nalbandian. "I cannot describe it. This is great for me. I'm very happy. For me this is a dream.

"I don't have too much time to enjoy it but I'm going to try to enjoy it a little bit. When I arrived with my coach we said 'We are going to win two or three matches and that's going to be a great tournament for me, my first time here.'

"I told my mom I'd be home this week and I'm in the final right now.

"I think the match is going to be very tough. He's playing very very good but we both have the same chance to win the tournament."

That may be true, but Hewitt remains a clear favourite to do what good friend Pat Rafter never could and become Wimbledon champion at just 21.

"It's an incredible feeling to see so many great champions up on the board that have held the trophy up," said Hewitt. "For me to have a match to try and do it is incredible.

"It's what kids dreamt of sitting back at home watching Pat Cash win Wimbledon 15 years ago. It's what every Australian kid who picks up a tennis racket dreams of, to one day be in this situation. For me to have it at the moment at the age of 21, it's incredible.

"I spoke with Pat (Rafter) before my semi-final. He wished me all the best for the match and said the whole of Australia is behind me back there. It's a great feeling to have.

"There's been such a great Australian tradition at Wimbledon. It's fantastic that I have been able to carry it through this year, just as Pat has done the last few years with semis and finals here.

"Everything that's happened the last 10 months or so since the US Open, it's been incredible to have won a first Grand Slam at the age of 20, then to go on and become the youngest ever world number one, I don't know what to say.

"It's beyond my expectations and to have another opportunity to have a go at a Grand Slam is a great feeling.

"I feel like I'm hitting the ball well enough to just go out there and worry about my game at the moment. If things aren't going well out there then it's a best of five-set match, I've got time to work it out and get a feeling for what's happening out there. If I have to alter my game a bit I'm willing to do it out there."