Federer eases into final

Roger Federer clinched the 20th Grand Slam title of his illustrious career after edging plucky sixth seed Marin Cilic in a five-set thriller in the Australian Open final on Sunday (28 January).

Roger Federer has captured his 20th Grand Slam singles title, beating Marin Cilic in a tense, back-and-forth Australian Open final 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

Federer, the second oldest man to win a slam title behind Ken Rosewall, moves four clear again of Rafael Nadal in terms of overall titles and is only three behind Serena Williams and four adrift of all-time record holder Margaret Court.

“I think (I have) a lot of confidence”, he said.

Between them, the pair won all four grand slam titles past year and have racked up 35 over the course of their incredible careers.

A set and a break down in the Wimbledon final previous year, Cilic started crying as the emotion of the situation got to him, as well as coping with severe blisters that impacted his performance.

“I’m so happy, it’s unbelievable”, Federer added. He had the same problem as Chung had in the Wimbledon final.

“I would love to be in that position again, to be able to win my first Major for the very first time“, said a smiling Roger Federer on Friday, in reference to Saturday women’s final between Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki, the victor of which will be crowned a Grand Slam champion for the very first time.

South Korean tennis sensation Chung Hyeon returned home to a hero’s welcome Sunday after his historic run at the Australian Open.

Federer surprised himself, and the tennis world, by taking down his nemesis Nadal in the five sets in the final of the Australian Open previous year, to kick off a season of revivals. “A lot of experts, such-called experts, said I was going to be world No. 1 and win everything”.

“I wish all the best luck for @rogerfederer in the finals”. Chung is a student of Djokovician tennis, who – as the New York Times reported – played childhood matches against his brother who impersonated Nadal and now finally got a first taste of Federer.

Going into the match against Chung, Federer had a below-par semifinals record at Melbourne Park, only six wins out of 13.

“There’s no reason, for that right now, I think”.

A victory for Federer in his 30th final at a major would continue an astonishing renaissance in which he and Nadal have reasserted their dominance over the men’s field. Federer clipped forehands cross-court at different speeds and chipped short backhands and if Chung knows the language of tennis then the Swiss speaks his own dialect. He played only two more games before he quit.

He was broken in the next game and Federer – who slammed down 24 aces – registered the insurance break for 5-1.

“When he arrived, I didn’t want to bother him”. The nerves returned for the Swiss at several stages through the three-hour three-minute clash, and he felt the trophy slipping from his grasp after the fourth set. I’m happy to be able to make semis in Grand Slam.

Then Cilic got in touch with Federer and asked if he wanted to practice. “I think the belief and the way he played very positive made him win that match because he didn’t look good there for a while when he was down a set and a break and everything”.

Where is Marin Cilic vs Roger Federer taking place? .