- Roger Federer beats Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to claim the 20th Grand Slam of his illustrious career
- The Swiss began magnificently and set the tone as he took the first set off the jaded Croat in just 24 minutes
- Cilic responded impressively, going toe-to-toe with the world No 2 seed as he took the second set on tiebreak
- But Federer has five previous Australian Open titles to draw on and he showed his class in sets three and four
Roger Federer made history on Sunday as he beat Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to win the Australian Open and earn his twentieth Grand Slam title of his magnificent career.
The world No 2 started quickly and wrapped up the first set in 24 minutes before Croatia’s Cilic began to find his feet, taking the second in a closely-fought tiebreak.
Both players went head-to-head in the Wimbledon final last year and while Federer came through that match in straight sets, Cilic took him to five sets in a thrilling tie under the roof of Rod Laver Arena.
More to follow.
Roger Federer became the first man to win 20 Grand Slam titles as he beat Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in Melbourne
Cilic reached the final after a comfortable passage past Brit Kyle Edmund and took Federer all the way in a thrilling five sets
The two players were going head-to-head in a Grand Slam final for the first time since Federer beat Cilic at Wimbledon 2017
It took just 24 minutes for the Swiss ace to capture the first set as a double break of the Croat’s serve set him on his way
On serve Federer seemed unplayable for Cilic before the No 6 seed broke him twice in a spirited fourth set performance
Fans inside the Rod Laver Arena made their loyalty clear as many clung to Swiss flags as they witnessed Federer make history
A Federer-led crowd cheered every touch but one lady expressed her disappointment he was not facing world No 1 Rafa Nadal
Before the first serve, both men had their eyes on another title with Cilic chasing just his second Grand Slam of his career
Despite being blown away in the opening set, Cilic responded magnificently and edged the second set via a tiebreak
With the match seemingly slipping away in record time early on, it was crucial for Cilic to take the second set and he knew it
The roof of the Rod Laver Arena was closed due to the extreme heat which has been a major talking point at the tournament
As the game went on Federer realised he was in for a major test as Cilic grew stronger and dominated the Swiss in the fourth
After the disappointment of the first set, few expected the level of spirit and determination shown by Cilic to take it five sets
After a comfortable semi-final match, which saw Hyeon Chung retire in the second set, this was Federer’s toughest test so far
Cilic was beaten in straight sets by Federer at Wimbledon but the Croat showed how far his game has improved in Melbourne
Actor Chris Hemsworth and wife Elsa Pataky secured two tickets to the hottest event in town as stars came on mass to watch