Federer surpasses Nadal and wins his 18th Grand Slam title.
Swiss tennis player Roger Federer defeated Spaniard Rafael Nadal in a classic Australian Open final on Sunday, June 29th, securing his 18th Grand Slam title. Federer recovered from a 3-1 deficit in the final set to close out the match on his second match point with a winner, guaranteeing his fifth trophy at Melbourne Park. He celebrated his brilliant return to the courts after injury with his first Grand Slam title since Wimbledon in 2012.
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Roger Federer defeated Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in a classic Australian Open final on Sunday to secure his 18th Grand Slam title.
Fueled by the crowd at Rod Laver Arena, Federer rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the final set to close out the match on his second match point with a winner, securing his fifth trophy at Melbourne Park.
Seeded 17th and playing in his first tournament after six months away, Federer celebrated his brilliant return to the courts after injury with his first Grand Slam title since Wimbledon in 2012.
The victory made Federer the first tennis player to win five titles in three different Grand Slam tournaments. Furthermore, at 35, he became the oldest Grand Slam winner since Ken Rosewall won the 1972 Australian Open at age 37.
(By Ian Ramson)