Roger Federer wins his 18th Grand Slam title, and first for five years, with a thrilling five-set victory over Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final.
Colombia’s Juan Sebastian Cabal and Abigail Spears of the United States captured the Australian Open mixed doubles title on Sunday after they defeated Croatia’s Ivan Dodig and Sania Mirza of India 6-2, 6-4 in 64 minutes.
Cabal and Spears raced to a 4-0 lead, losing just six points. Although 2016 Roland Garros finalists Dodig and Mirza regrouped, winning the first three games of the second set, Cabal and Spears won five straight games from a 1-4 deficit for the title.
Cabal reached the 2011 French Open men’s doubles final (w/Eduardo Schwank) and Spears tasted success for the first time having finished runner-up with Santiago Gonzalez in the 2013 and 2014 US Open mixed doubles finals.
?? ??? @australianopen @absters10s #nowordstodescribe pic.twitter.com/astEvHekOU
— Juan Sebastian Cabal (@juanscabal) January 29, 2017
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ATPWorldTour.com looks at how the 2017 final was won
Roger Federer recovered from a 1-3 deficit in the fifth set against his great rival Rafael Nadal to capture his 18th Grand Slam championship crown and his fifth Australian Open title on Sunday night. Federer, the No. 17 seed, defeated ninth seed and 2009 winner Rafael Nadal, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in three hours and 38 minutes. Throughout, it left the capacity crowd on Rod Laver Arena on the edge of their seats.
The win marks Federer’s first Grand Slam championship victory since he beat Andy Murray for the 2012 Wimbledon title. Federer is the first No. 17 seed to capture a Grand Slam championship crown since Pete Sampras, who clinched the 2002 US Open title in his final professional match. The Swiss superstar now 18-10 in major finals, while Nadal is 14-7 lifetime in finals on the biggest stages.
Federer hit 73 winners, including 20 aces, and won 76 per cent of his first service points for victory in three hours and 37 minutes. Nadal, who went 4/17 in break points won, committed 28 unforced errors – 29 fewer than Federer. The Swiss, who returned this year after a six-month injury lay-off, is now 12-23 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series.
ATPWorldTour.com breaks down how the 2017 Australian Open final was won…
FIRST SET
The hyperbole surrounding a final between these two all-time greats did not appear to affect Nadal or Federer in the opening exchanges of their 35th meeting – and fourth on Melbourne soil. Predictably, each player centred their tactics on targeting backhand wings and opening up the court – yet through the first six games there were two love holds. The battle for baseline dominance reached fever pitch at 3-3, when Nadal failed to consistently hit his first serves into court and Federer seized the initiative courtesy of a forehand drive volley for two break points. The pressure mounted on Nadal, the longer the rally went on at 15/40. Ultimately, he struck a crosscourt backhand wide. The Rod Laver Arena, largely pro-Federer, erupted at the first service break of a high-quality opening. Federer consolidated the break with a love hold for a 5-3 advantage and later hit two aces to secure the 34-minute set.
Maestro on the move…
Clean machine #Federer takes command of the 1st set 6-4 v #Nadal. #AusOpen #Fedal pic.twitter.com/svRO3CD7oY
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2017
SECOND SET
The level of play ratcheted up with Nadal winning six of the first seven points. Federer was drawn to the net by Nadal, whose groundstroke depth rushed the Swiss into error. Nadal earned his first service break when Federer mis-hit a forehand for a 2-0 lead, prior to a testing third game. Nadal led 30/0, but lost the next three points and was forced to save two break points as terrific athleticism and elasticity by 35-year-old Federer belied his age. Trailing 0-4, Federer loosened up and Nadal’s relentless groundstroke length faltered, momentarily. At 30/40, Nadal went all-out on a forehand down the line, but Federer was able to flick a forehand back and into an open court to break. Nadal held his nerve and with two straight love holds, he clinched the set when when Federer struck a forehand long. Game on.
Bull on the loose…
Those eye-watering groundstrokes come out to play as #Nadal charges through the 2nd set 6-3. #AusOpen #FedererNadal pic.twitter.com/xgDmZdHwKh
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2017
THIRD SET
Federer got out of jail in the first game. Having led 40/0, Nadal won five straight points but was ultimately unable to convert three break point opportunities – as Federer struck an ace each time. Having edged through, Federer seized the momentum by breaking Nadal for a 2-0 lead. A sublime backhand half volley down the line at 30/30 did the damage, followed by a deep backhand return that Nadal attempted to run around to hit a forehand into an open court. The Spaniard ran out of time and the pressure further mounted when Federer went on to hold to love for 3-0. At this stage, Federer was zoning on his backhand, quick in his movement to his forehand, and was not allowing Nadal time to recover with a number of drive volley winners. Nadal continued to battle and came through a nine-minute game for 1-3, saving three break points, but emotion, frustration got the better of him and two games later he was broken to 30. Federer then saved two break points to complete a remarkable turnaround, after overcoming the pressure of the opening game, with a backhand drop volley winner. For the first time in his ninth Grand Slam final against Nadal, he led two sets to one.
#Federer takes the third set. #AusOpen #FedererNadal pic.twitter.com/eDCcWGSjon
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2017
FOURTH SET
One mental lapse on an easy forehand at the start of the fourth game cost Federer dear, as Nadal soon wrestled away the momentum. At 15/40, Federer was drawn to the net to retrieve a low backhand but stretched and volleyed into the net. Nadal’s mental strength was undimmed a game later, when he produced a tremendous flicked crosscourt forehand winner – at full stretch – off a fine Federer backhand crosscourt angle for a 4-1 advantage. At the change of ends, Federer applauded after watching the big screen replay. Federer held for 3-5, forcing Nadal to close out the 40-minute set – which he did courtesy of a Federer backhand into the net. Nadal went into the decider knowing he’d won three of their previous five five-setters.
Would it even be a #FedererNadal clash if it didn’t go to 5?
Things are about to go into overdrive as Rafa takes the 4th 6-3. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/2rEqvuJf0j
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2017
FIFTH SET
Federer returned after an off-court medical time out to serve first in the decider. The time lapse provided respite, but not for the Swiss who lost the first two points. Under pressure, Federer went after Nadal’s backhand and saved one break point, but a forehand error at 30/40 gifted Nadal the break. Nadal then saved three break points for a big hold that got his coach, Uncle Toni, out of his seat. But Federer, who received on-court treatment on his right thigh at the 1-2 change of ends, wasn’t finished. Federer kept applying the pressure, playing as close to the baseline as he could, and in the next game forced Nadal to rip a backhand crosscourt winner at break point. Although Nadal maintained his break advantage for a 3-1 lead, the match could turn on its head with a moment of brilliance. It did in the sixth game, with Federer levelling the score at 3-3 on his second break point chance when Nadal struck an in-out forehand wide. Nadal showcased terrific mental fortitude at 3-4 when he recovered from 0/40 and saved four break points, but Federer was relentlessly aggressive and controlled the baseline. At the fifth time of asking, the Swiss broke when Nadal was drawn out wide to hit a forehand into the net. With new balls, and some nerves, Federer went on to save two break points and close out his 100th match at Melbourne Park for an emotional – and memorable – 18th Grand Slam championship crown.
HE’S DONE IT! ?
Roger #Federer has defeated Rafael #Nadal in the #AusOpen 2017 final to bring up his 18th Grand Slam singles title. pic.twitter.com/0Y1kM79KIc
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2017
Roger Federer won his 18th Grand Slam title and first for five years with a thrilling five-set victory over Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final.
The 35-year-old Swiss won 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 to claim his fifth Melbourne title and extend his lead at the top of the all-time men’s major winners’ list.
Nadal, 30, remains tied in second with Pete Sampras on 14 Grand Slams following his first final since 2014.
Federer’s previous major title came at Wimbledon in 2012.
“I’ve been coming here for almost 20 years now,” said the Swiss. “I’ve always enjoyed it and now my family does too.
“Thanks again for everything, to everybody. I hope to see you next year. If not, this was a wonderful run here and I can’t be more happy to win tonight.”
| Men’s all-time Grand Slam singles titles leaders | |
|---|---|
| 18 (2003-present) – Roger Federer (Swi) | 12 (1961-1967) – Roy Emerson (Aus) |
| 14 (2005-present) – Rafael Nadal (Spa) | 11 (1974-1981) – Bjorn Borg (Swe) |
| 14 (1990-2002) – Pete Sampras (US) | 11 (1960-1969) – Rod Laver (Aus) |
| 12 (2008-present) – Novak Djokovic (Ser) | 10 (1920-1930) – Bill Tilden (US) |
His achievement in ending that drought is all the more remarkable given this was his first tournament since Wimbledon last July, after which he took the second half of the season off to recover from a knee injury.
Federer becomes the first man in history to win five or more titles at three different Grand Slam events – five Australian Opens, five US Opens, seven Wimbledons.
Nadal was also on the way back from injuries that curtailed his 2016 season, but the Spaniard could not improve his winning record against Federer – the Swiss has now won 12 of their 35 matches and three of nine major finals.
“I worked very hard to get where I am today,” said Nadal. “I fight a lot, probably Roger deserved it a little bit more than me today.
“I’m just going to keep trying. I feel I am back at a very high level.”
The return of one of the great tennis rivalries to the Grand Slam final stage led to huge anticipation for the final, and it lived up to the billing over three hours and 37 minutes.
A match of wild momentum swings ended with a purple patch from Federer that saw him win the last five games, and clinch the title thanks to confirmation from a Hawkeye challenge.
Federer leapt in the air in celebration and, after consoling close friend Nadal, broke down in tears as his wife Mirka and team celebrated in the stands.
“Tennis is a tough sport,” said Federer. “There are no draws. If there were I would have been happy to accept one tonight and share it with Rafa.
“Everybody says they work very hard – I do the same – but I try not to shout about it. I’d like to thank my team. It’s been a different last six months. I didn’t think I’d make it but here I am.”
There were moments of genius from both players – a stunning forehand angled winner from Nadal as he dominated the fourth set, a breathtaking 26-stroke rally in the fifth that ended with a crushing Federer forehand – but in the end the attacking instincts of Federer held sway.
He dropped just four points on serve in the first set, breaking serve after a brilliant drive volley in game seven, only for Nadal to race 4-0 clear in the second.
Federer recovered one of the breaks but it was not enough as Nadal served out to love to level the match, and then heaped on the pressure early in the third.
With the momentum slipping away, Federer came up with three aces on break points to nudge ahead in the first game – and it proved to be a decisive moment.
A magical half-volley forehand helped Federer get the break in the next game and he rolled through the set for the loss of just one game.
Neither had been able to produce their very best consistently and it was Federer’s turn to leak forehand errors as he fell behind in the fourth set, and Nadal appeared the stronger as they headed into a decider.
Federer needed an off-court medical time-out, just as he had before the fifth set of his semi-final against Stan Wawrinka, and he had treatment to his thigh on the changeover as he fell 3-1 behind.
Despite his physical issues, Federer continued to press on the Nadal serve, earning break points in each game until he finally converted a sixth to level at 3-3.
The Rod Laver Arena crowd roared as the Swiss swept through a service game and then broke again in a dramatic game, winning a 26-stroke rally that will rank among the best ever.
Closing out a Grand Slam final was never going to be easy after five years, and Federer had to recover from 15-40 before firing a forehand onto the line and waiting for Hawkeye to confirm it was a historic winner.
2006: French Open – Nadal won 1-6 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7-4)
2006: Wimbledon – Federer won 6-0 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (2-7) 6-3
2007: French Open – Nadal won 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4
2007: Wimbledon – Federer won 7-6 (9-7) 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 2-6 6-2
2008: French Open – Nadal won 6-1 6-3 6-0
2008: Wimbledon – Nadal won 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-7 (8-10) 9-7
2009: Australian Open – Nadal won 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-2
2011: French Open – Nadal won 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 6-1
2017: Australian Open – Federer won 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3
The biggest rivalry in tennis will once more take centre stage on Sunday when Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal face off in…
The most famous rivalry in tennis will once more take centre stage in a grand slam final. Roger Federer and Rafael…
Serena Williams was thrilled to win a record 23rd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open but would not speculate on how many more she could secure.
The American, 35, beat sister Venus 6-4 6-4 to overtake Steffi Graf in the list of Open-era major champions.
She is now just one behind Australia’s Margaret Court in terms of all-time Grand Slam singles victories.
“I never had a number. That’s the beauty of it,” said Williams, who won her first major at the 1999 US Open.
“When I started this journey, I just wanted to win a Grand Slam.
“Then I just wanted to win. Every time I step on the court, I want to win. It’s just really remarkable.”
Williams drew level with Germany’s Graf on 22 major singles titles at last year’s Wimbledon, but then lost in the semi-finals of the US Open.
She won her seventh Australian Open title without dropping a set in Melbourne.
“It’s such a great feeling to have 23,” she said. “It really feels great.
“I’ve been chasing it for a really long time. When it got on my radar, I knew I had an opportunity to get there, and I’m here.
“It’s a great feeling. No better place to do it than Melbourne.”
The experience was all the more special because it was shared with Venus, who at 36 was making her first Grand Slam final appearance since 2009.
The sisters became the oldest women to appear in a major final since the Grand Slams accepted professional players in 1968.
“We’re both, like I say, 30-fun,” Serena joked. “Now I just feel like I’m satisfied with where I am, although I always want to win.”
As well as the title, Serena regained the world number one ranking from Germany’s Angelique Kerber – but she did not know that was on the line as her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, kept it from her.
“That was a bonus. I didn’t know actually. It feels good. I like being on top, so I really like that feeling,” she said.
“In the beginning of the tournament, I was like, ‘If I win, will I be number one?’ Patrick said, ‘No, no, no.’
“Today on the court when they were like, ‘And number one’, I was like, ‘Whoa, really?'”
| All-time Grand Slam singles titles leaders | |
|---|---|
| 24 (1960-1973) – Margaret Court (Aus) | 19 (1923-1938) – Helen Wills Moody (US) |
| 23 (1999-present) – Serena Williams (US) | 18 (1974-1986) – Chris Evert (US) |
| 22 (1987-1999) – Steffi Graf (Ger) | 18 (1978-1990) – Martina Navratilova (US) |
After reaching her first Grand Slam final since 2009, Venus Williams will head into the rest of the season in confident mood.
She will rise from 17th to 11th in the world rankings after her run to the final in Melbourne.
“Ready to kill it this year,” she said. “That’s my goal. It’s a great start to the year. I’m looking forward to the rest of year.
“This is like tournament number two and it’s already a lot of work. I’m looking forward to tournament number three and four. It’s going to be awesome.”
Venus, who has had to cope with auto-immune disease Sjogren’s syndrome in recent years, played down the suggestion she and Serena are the greatest sporting siblings of all time.
“I don’t think we’re going for the greatest story in sports,” she said.
“We’re just going for some dreams. In the case that we are, what an honour, what an honour.”
Serena Williams beats sister Venus in straight sets to win her seventh Australian Open and an Open-era record 23rd Grand Slam singles title.
Who is the greatest female tennis player of the Open era?
It is a question fans love to debate.
Of course, it is difficult to compare across eras, with technology and professionalism evolving since the Open era – which allowed professionals to compete alongside amateurs – began in 1968.
Is the number of Grand Slam wins what really matters? Serena Williams has won the most in the Open era – her victory in the Australian Open taking her to 23.
“Serena is the greatest of all-time because this era is so much more competitive than previous eras,” says BBC Sport presenter Sue Barker, herself a former French Open champion.
Do you agree? From our shortlist, pick your 1-7 using our interactive tool – and if you still can’t decide, Sue’s analysis below might help.
We will announce your greatest on Monday, 30 January.
Pick your greatest champion by ranking the seven women who have won the most Open Era major titles.
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Barker: “Serena has won 23 in an era which is so much more competitive than previous eras. The first, second and third-round matches at Grand Slams are more competitive than they used to be.
“The pace she generates, her serve is without question the greatest ever, and put that with her movement and her power, she pushes her opponents constantly on the back foot.”
Barker: “She is the greatest athlete that has ever played the game. Steffi made everything look effortless and incredibly graceful. The big forehand was her trademark.
“She was great for the game and we needed someone like her to take the game forward. However, I do feel she was in an era where she was not well challenged because Gabriela Sabatini went away and then so did Monica Seles after her stabbing. We never saw a great rivalry develop.”
Barker: “Martina was the first person who changed the physical side of the women’s game. While we all just went for a three-mile run, she started doing training off court – she did specific gym exercises and built up muscles which we hadn’t seen before. She dominated, and the other players had to change.
“Her serve-volley was exceptional. I don’t think there has been a better serve-volleyer in the women’s game at the top level.”
Barker: “She was mentally so incredibly hard. To try to get past Chrissie you knew you were going to suffer – you were going to run and run and run. She never broke down, she didn’t make an error and played the big points so well.
“She didn’t miss and never got nervous – that’s why they called her ‘The Ice Princess’. She never look flustered. Mentally she was incredibly strong and solid in every department.”
Barker: “Margaret was from a very different era. It is difficult to compare because it was a different game then – it wasn’t a hard-hitting game. She was tall and had an incredible wingspan, she could almost touch either sideline! She had great reach so just trying to pass her was very difficult.
“However, most of her Grand Slams were won in Australia – and I sound a little bit disrespectful here – when it was only Australians playing it because no-one went there. I think the records that came later from the others were greater.”
Barker: “Monica could have been one of the greatest ever if the stabbing had not happened. She was just beginning to get the better of Steffi.
“I feel tennis was robbed of that incredible rivalry because she was never the same player when she came back – which was totally understandable.”
Barker: “Billie Jean is the greatest in terms of the whole sport, combining her Slam wins with everything else she has done off the court in terms of promoting the sport.
“Tennis is probably the best known women’s sport because of everything she has done for the game. She was a great champion and moved the game forward.”