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Australian Open: Roger Federer thrilled by Grand Slam win over Rafael Nadal

  • Posted: Jan 29, 2017

Roger Federer said he enjoyed proving he could still win a Grand Slam more than taking his tally to 18 with a dramatic Australian Open victory over Rafael Nadal.

The Swiss, 35, won 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 to claim his fifth Melbourne title.

“For me it’s all about the comeback, about an epic match with Rafa again,” he said. “The last problem is the Slam count. Honestly, it doesn’t matter.

“We’re going to party like rock stars tonight. I can tell you that.”

Five years after his last major victory at Wimbledon, and 10 years since he beat Nadal in a Grand Slam final, Federer finally clinched title number 18 with a thrilling five-set victory.

The victory came in his first tournament back following six months out with a knee injury, which he picked up when running a bath for his children at last year’s Australian Open.

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)

It appeared as though another Grand Slam opportunity was slipping away when Nadal took the fourth set and then moved 3-1 up in the decider.

However, Federer came storming back with five games in a row and a brilliant display of attacking tennis.

“I told myself to play free,” he said.

“That’s what we discussed with [coaches] Ivan [Ljubicic] and Severin [Luthi] before the matches. You play the ball, you don’t play the opponent.

“Be free in your head, be free in your shots, go for it. The brave will be rewarded here. I didn’t want to go down just making shots, seeing forehands rain down on me from Rafa. I think it was the right decision at the right time.”

The victory makes Federer the first man to win three of the four Grand Slam titles at least five times each – but it was his lone victory at the French Open in 2009 that was in his thoughts on Sunday.

“I can’t compare this one to any other one except for maybe the French Open in ’09,” he said.

“I waited for the French Open, I tried, I fought. I tried again and failed. Eventually I made it. This feels similar.”

Federer rejects Cash criticism

Federer took a medical time-out after the fourth set for the second match running, and then had treatment to his thigh from the physio during the fifth set – something that infuriated former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 live, the Australian said: “You don’t just stop a marathon if you’re tired. Is it something that really requires medical attention, or is it tiredness? If it’s tiredness then it’s a loss of condition.

“I cannot stress how bad this has been supervised or looked at by the medical team here in the whole tour. It’s wrong, wrong and wrong. It’s cheating and it’s being allowed. It’s legal cheating but it’s still not right.”

Asked about the comments after the match, Federer responded: “I felt my quad midway through the second set already, and the groin started to hurt midway through the third set. I just told myself: ‘The rules are there that you can use them.’

“I also think we shouldn’t be using these rules or abusing the system. I think I’ve led the way for 20 years.

“So I think to be critical there is exaggerating. I’m the last guy to call a medical time-out. So I don’t know what he’s talking about.”

Clay-court season can be special – Nadal

Despite letting a lead slip in the fifth set, Nadal remained positive at the end of two weeks in Melbourne that have seen him re-establish himself among the Grand Slam contenders.

Heading into the tournament he had not won a major since the 2014 French Open – the last time he had been past the quarter-final stage at a Grand Slam.

“At the end of the day it’s another title – there is a winner, there is a loser,” said the Spaniard.

“In these kind of matches, anyone can win. Being honest, in these kind of matches, I won a lot of times against him. Today he beat me. I just congratulate him.

“It’s not more than another important title for him, another important two weeks for me. Even if it didn’t finish the way that I wanted, it’s been an important two weeks for me.

“The only thing that I can do is congratulate him and go back home with very positive feelings for me.”

And the nine-time French Open champion is confident that his success on hard courts bodes well for a return to his beloved clay in the spring.

“On clay I recover better than here, then the opponents don’t get that many free points, and I am playing solid from the baseline,” said Nadal.

“If I make that happen, I think I can keep having success in hard courts, but on clay can be special.”

Analysis

Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent:

Boris Becker and Michael Chang were both 17 when they won Wimbledon and the French Open in the 1980s. Pete Sampras’ final Grand Slam at the 2002 US Open had seemed beyond his reach, and Goran Ivanisevic’s 2001 Wimbledon triumph as a wildcard was another magical moment. But, for me, Federer’s victory here in Melbourne is the greatest of all triumphs in the history of the men’s game.

Federer won the title in his first competitive tournament for six months. At the age of 35, he won three five-set matches: two against top-five players, and the third in the final against a man he had not beaten in a Grand Slam since the Wimbledon final of 2007.

Federer’s 18th Grand Slam title is likely to ensure he has a record which neither Nadal nor Novak Djokovic can break. And 12 months after leaving Melbourne with a torn meniscus in his knee, Federer looks as likely as anyone to win another Grand Slam in 2017.

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Cabal/Spears Win Mixed Doubles Crown

  • Posted: Jan 29, 2017

Cabal/Spears Win Mixed Doubles Crown

Jan292017

Colombia’s Cabal triumphs Down Under

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.

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How It Happened: Federer Beats Nadal For Australian Open Title

  • Posted: Jan 29, 2017

How It Happened: Federer Beats Nadal For Australian Open Title

Jan292017

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.

You May Also Like: Federer Tops Nadal In Epic For 18th Major Crown

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Federer beats Nadal to win 18th Grand Slam title

  • Posted: Jan 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.

  • Watch highlights of the final on BBC Two at 13:00 GMT, Sunday

“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.”

Final lives up to the hype

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.”

Federer finishes with a flourish

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.

Federer v Nadal in Grand Slam finals

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

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'I just want to win' – Serena on Grand Slam ambitions

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2017

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.”

  • Read more: Is Serena the greatest? Pick your favourite…

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)

Venus ‘ready to kill it’ in 2017

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.”

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