MELBOURNE: Roger Federer defied age to win his 18th Grand Slam title and put some extra distance on the all-time list between himself and Rafael Nadal, the man he beat in a vintage five-set final at the Australian Open final.

It was the 35-year-old’s first major title since Wimbledon in 2012, his first in Australia since 2010, and it reversed the status quo against his nemesis Nadal, who had won all three of their previous meetings at Melbourne Park.

Federer capped his triumphant return from knee surgery by winning a classic encounter 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to become the oldest major-winner in 45 years and move four titles clear of Nadal and Pete Sampras on the all-time list.

Lefthander Nadal, also returning from injury this year, showed sustained periods of his brutal best from the baseline but was just unable to stay with his rival in the gut-wrenching drama of the deciding set.

Federer was forced to endure a nervous wait for his victory after Nadal unsuccessfully challenged the line call on the second championship point before becoming the first man to win five or more titles at three different Grand Slams.

The veteran Swiss, for many the greatest player of all time, jumped for joy and cried tears of happiness but his first words were for his old friend and rival.

“Tennis is a tough sport, there are no draws in tennis but I would have been happy to accept one tonight and share it with Rafa,” he said.

“I would have been happy to lose to be honest, the comeback was as good as it was. I hope to see you next year but if not, then it was a wonderful year here and I couldn’t be happier tonight.

“Against Rafa it’s always epic. This one means a lot to me because he’s caused me problems over the years. Keep playing please, Rafa. Tennis needs you.”

Federer had lost six of the previous eight Grand Slam finals he’d played against Nadal and was 11-23 in their career meetings. He also hadn’t beaten the left-handed Spaniard for a major championship since Wimbledon in 2007.

“It remains for me the ultimate challenge to play against him,” Federer said. “It’s super sweet, because I haven’t beaten him a Grand Slam final for a long time now.”

Federer had lost three major finals since winnings his 17th, and by winning in Melbourne, he became the oldest man since Ken Rosewall in 1972 to win a Slam.

Both players were returning from extended layoffs. Federer for six months after Wimbledon with an injured left knee; Nadal for a couple of months with an injured left wrist and were seeded 17th and ninth, respectively.

Nadal, the 2009 champion, was also typically gracious after losing his third Melbourne final and coming up short in his bid for a 15th Grand Slam title.

“It was a great match and I think Roger probably deserved it a little more than me,” the 30-year-old said. “I played a great quality of tennis. That’s great news for me. I believe that if I have my body in the right condition, I can have a great year.”

Federer, playing aggressively and with a flatter backhand than normal, took the match to Nadal and got the only service break to take the opening set.

Nadal fought back with two breaks to level before Federer got the bit between his teeth with a double break in the third set.

The Spaniard hit back in the fourth set with a service break in the fourth game to take the final into a fifth set.

He again broke the Swiss early in the final set but Federer stirred himself and broke Nadal twice before serving out for a brilliant and emotional victory.

“In the fifth set, I didn’t win one serve easily. Even if I played great in the break points, I was suffering a lot,” said Nadal. “He probably remained a little bit more free on points on my serve. That’s what I needed in that moment, and I didn’t have.”

Published in Dawn January 30th, 2017