Federer edges Nadal to win Australian Open
Switzerland’s Roger Federer celebrates winning his Men’s singles final match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal. (Photo: Reuters) MELBOURNE – Roger Federer has shrugged off a decade of grand slam heartbreak against Rafa Nadal, felling his great rival 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 in a classic Australian Open final to capture his 18th major title.
Roared on by a partisan Rod Laver Arena crowd, Federer roared back from 3-1 down in the nerve-shredding final set before closing it out on the second championship point with a forehand winner to seal his fifth crown at Melbourne Park.
Seeded 17th and playing his first tour tournament after six months out of the game, Federer capped his brilliant comeback from injury with his first grand slam title since Wimbledon in 2012.
The win made Federer the first player ever to win five titles at three different grand slams and at 35, the oldest grand slam winner since Ken Rosewall won the 1972 Australian Open at 37.
– Reuters
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- Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – 29/1/17 A view of the sunset from Rod Laver Arena during the Men’s singles final match between Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Spain’s Rafael Nadal. (Photo: Reuters)
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- Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – 29/1/17 Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts during his Men’s singles final match against Switzerland’s Roger Federer. (Photo: Reuters)
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- Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – 29/1/17 Switzerland’s Roger Federer hits a shot during his Men’s singles final match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal. (Photo: Reuters)
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- Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – 29/1/17 Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts during his Men’s singles final match against Switzerland’s Roger Federer. (Photo: Reuters)
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- Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – 29/1/17 Switzerland’s Roger Federer celebrates winning his Men’s singles final match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal. (Photo: Reuters)
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- Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – 29/1/17 Switzerland’s Roger Federer shakes hands after winning his Men’s singles final match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal. (Photo: Reuters)
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- Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – 29/1/17 Switzerland’s Roger Federer kisses the trophy after winning his Men’s singles final match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal. (Photo: Reuters)
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- Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – 29/1/17 Switzerland’s Roger Federer kisses the trophy after winning his Men’s singles final match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal. (Photo: Reuters)
