Swiss top-seed Roger Federer won his third Australian Open and his tenth Grand Slam title when he beat Chilean 10th-seed Fernando Gonzalez, 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4, in 140 minutes. Federer joins American Bill Tilden in joint fifth in the all-time Grand Slam titles, and is one major title shy of joining the ranks of Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg. He incidentally became the first man in almost 27 years to win a Grand Slam title without dropping a set, the first since Bjorn Borg back in the 1980 French Open.
In the first set each player held their respected serves four times. Federer went 30-0 in the ninth game, but could not hold his serve as he had difficulty repelling his Gonzalez's groundstrokes. So the challenger went up 5-4.
But when Gonzalez found himself with a set point, Federer showed why he is the world number one, and went on to break his serve to stay in the set at 5-5. Both players held their respected serves, pushing the first set to a tie-breaker, which Federer handily won 7-2. After 65 minutes and a hard-fought battle, Federer had made a breakthrough.
Both players went on to hold their respective serves thrice in the second set, at times wowing the crowd and each other with love service games. Showing Gonzalez that whatever he does, the No 1 does even better, Federer won the next two games to lead the second set 5-3. Gonzalez went on to hold his serve to stay in the match but it was a matter of time before Federer sealed the second set, 6-4, with an ace. That set ended in 32 minutes.
In the third set both players again held their respective serves thrice. Then Federer won the next two games for a 5-3 lead. Federer was poised on taking the the third set, but Gonzalez held his serve to stay in the match for at least a game. With Federer serving for the match, he earned three championship points. A backhand down the line did it for Federer, 6-4, and the Swiss ace successfully defended his Australian Open title.
"I've had a great run here this year and I'm very proud to be holding this trophy again," Federer said.
"It was a special tournament for me," Gonzalez said. "Roger is a great champion and he played great all tournament."
Written by Jess Plopinio
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