Melbourne, Jan. 28 (TNS): Swiss great Roger Federer became the oldest player in the open era to win the Australian Open title for the sixth time at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
In this process, Federer became the only tennis player to win a record 20th Grand Slam. Federer, who was the third oldest man to contest the Melbourne Park final and has extended his record for most Grand Slam final appearances to 30, beat his opponent Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to win his third major title at 36.
The defending champion dropped his only sets of the tournament to beat the Croatian sixth seed in 3 hours and 3 minutes.
Federer, playing in his 30th Grand Slam final, joined Novak Djokovic and Australian great Roy Emerson as joint top for the most Australian Open men’s titles.
He added to his already imposing win-loss record in Melbourne and is now 94-13. His overall his Grand Slam mark stands at 332-52.
Cilic’s serve came under immediate pressure with a whipping backhand return winner for break point which the Croatian followed with a smash into the net for a break in the opening game.
The Croat was finding it difficult to settle and changed racquets in his second service game, but it had no obvious benefit as he dropped serve again after three break points to trail 0-3.
He finally held serve to get on to the board and trail 4-1 with Federer hitting the ball cleanly.
