The Dream Final
A Grand Slam final nearly six years in the making is now less than an hour away at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park.
The last time Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal met in a major final was at the French Open in 2011, when Nadal won in four sets. Nadal holds a 23-11 edge, including semifinal wins at the Australian Open in 2012 and 2014.
Federer, with a leading 17 Grand Slam men's singles titles, has gone further in the tournament than he ever expected after being out for six months with a left knee injury. Nadal, too, spent extended injury time on the sidelines in 2016.
The mixed doubles final will open the action at Rod Laver, with American Abigail Spears and Juan Sebastian Cabal playing Sania Mirza of India and Ivan Dodig.
Federer Wins 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
Roger Federer has won his 18th major title by beating Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to capture the Australian Open.
Federer was down a break early in the pivotal fifth set, but came back to break the Spaniard in the sixth game to level the set at 3-all.
The crowd cheering wildly with every winner he hit, Federer then broke Nadal again in the eighth game to go up 5-3. Nadal had chances in the next game, but couldn't convert on two break point chances and Federer closed it out on his second match point.
Federer jumped up and down and screamed in celebration after clinching the match, then held back tears as he sat in his change-over chair.
Federer captured his first major title since Wimbledon in 2012 and his fifth Australian Open trophy. Nadal had been bidding for his second title in Melbourne and his 15th overall at Grand Slams.
I would have been happy to lose to Rafa: Roger Federer
First, I would like to congratulate Rafael Nadal for an amazing comeback! I would have been happy to lose to Rafa. The comeback was perfect as it was. There are no draws in Tennis but I would have been happy to share the title with Rafa tonight. Rafa, Please keep playing Tennis. Tennis needs you.
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It's been a lovely month for me: Rafael Nadal
First, I would like to congratulate Roger Federer. It’s been a lovely month for me. I have had a great time in Australia. Probably Roger deserved to win more than me. But, I feel like I am back and I will keep working hard in the future.
Federer Serves For the Match
Can you breathe?
Nadal has himself two break points and this match may still have more in it. Federer though serves an ace. 40-30 to Rafa.
FOREHAND WINNER! THAT forehand winner and Federer’s drawn level.
What’s next. Another winner. Advantage Federer. The umpire said ADVANTAGE FEDERER!
Nadal manages to get things level and we are down to a second championship point.
Roger Federer serves and manages to find a forehand winner! The umpire calls in and Federer CELEBRATES!
Oh! Nadal is challenging the ball!
And the hawk-eye shows that the ball clips the line!
ROGER FEDERER is the 2017 Australian Open Champion!!! The Swiss wins his 18th Grand Slam title!
He finally manages to beat Nadal in a Grand Slam after ten long years!