Roger Federer has cemented his place as the greatest male tennis player of all time after a thrilling five-sets win over Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final.
The 35-year-old Swiss superstar won the final 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to win his 18th Grand Slam title, and his fifth Australian Open title.
In a match that changed momentum on numerous occasions, Federer won the opening set 6-4, before losing the second set 3-6. The third and fourth sets were surprisingly one-sided with the Swiss star winning the third 6-1. Nadal looked to be gaining control of the match with a 6-3 win in the fourth the set up a deciding set.
What a time to crack the century...
Connors is the only other man to have played 100 matches at one Grand Slam in the Open Era.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/s9yWHqvgS4
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2017
The Spaniard looked on course to win the final set, and his 15th Grand Slam after breaking Federer's serve in the opening match. The 35-year-old had chances to break back on numerous occasions, but it took until the sixth game, to break back.
Federer broke once more in the eighth game, to lead 5-3. He went on to serve out to record a historic triumph.
It is Federer's first Grand Slam title since the 2012 Wimbledon final. Since then he has lost in three finals and reached a further four semi-finals. The win over Nadal was also Federer's first in a Grand Slam final in five attempts and the first since Wimbledon in 2007.
Roger Federer#AusOpen Champion
18 Grand Slam titles
The greatest pic.twitter.com/BXzouxC4T0— Newstalk Sport (@NewstalkSport) January 29, 2017
Both men were effusive in their praise for each other, with Federer stating he was delighted to see Nadal return to full fitness.
"Tennis is a tough sport. There are no draws. If there were I would have been happy to accept one tonight and share it with Rafa."
Nadal's run to the final, points to a potentially successful season on clay. He will hope to win his 15th Grand Slam at Roland Garros in the French Open in June.
