Roger Federer is suddenly within sight of the all-time grand slam title record after entering uncharted waters with an historic sixth Australian Open triumph.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Marin Cilic 2 7 3 6 1
Roger Federer 6 6 6 3 6
It’s a replay of the 2017 Wimbledon final when Roger Federer and Marin Cilic fight it out to be delcared 2018 Australian Open champion. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the final from 7:30pm (AEDT).
While the pair have played a match since Wimbledon, with the ATP World Tour finals falling in favour of Federer, it’s the demolition job at Wimbledon which is remembered.
Federer didn’t drop a set for the entire tournament and after being pushed to a tie breaker, he ran away to take the final two 6-4, 6-1. The Fed Express never looked challenged throughout the match and Cilic simply couldn’t handle it.
Cilic should put a better performance in on the hard court though. He has been in solid form throughout the first grand slam of the year and in a possible good omen, his only victory against Federer came in the semi-finals of the 2014 US Open. Cilic won that encounter in straight sets on his way to winning his first grand slam.
The Croatian has been in fine form throughout the tournament. He has to overcome Rafael Nadal in the quarter-final, then blasted past Kyle Edmund in straight sets.
With his semi-final being played on Thursday, an extra day of recovery will do the sixth seed well, given he has spent more time on court than Federer throughout the tournament.
Federer, chasing his 20th grand slam title in what is an incredible 30th grand slam final, doesn’t have a heap to recover from though given Hyeon Chung retired at the end of their second set in what was a one-sided semi-final.
It’s been a pattern of dominance for Federer who is yet to drop a set at the Open. While he has had a ridiculously easy run through and has only played Richard Gasquet (29th) and Tomas Berdych (19th) out of the seeded players, Federer hasn’t raised a sweat.
The biggest problem for opponents coming up against possibly the greatest player of all time has been trying to slow him down on serve.
Federer has a tendency to simply raise through service games, holding to love or 15, meaning pressure immediately goes back onto the racquet of his opponent. Cilic can’t let that happen – not only will he struggle to break serve, it inevitably leads for him going for too much on serve and mistakes following.
Cutting out mistakes will be the other key for Cilic. He needs to stay patient, keep his first serve on track and defend well from the baseline, playing with depth to keep Federer back.
The problem we can have with Federer is that he hasn’t been tested yet. No one really knows where his level of fitness is at over five sets and certainly, he made some mistakes early on against Chung and Berdych, getting off to slow starts.
Prediction
Federer is going to be too good. It’s hard to find many issues or flaws in his game and while it won’t be as bad as Wimbledon, Federer won’t have too many problems taking a 20th grand slam title.
Federer in four sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the men’s final at the Australian Open from 7:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment below.
clipper
Guest
Hopefully they will listen to the fans and do something about the weather - better timing, more cooling, better shade. The crowds would make to heat even worse. At the Sydney international, the court one terraces aren't even shaded - it gets really hot, especially if there is no breeze. Have they become a victim of their success? - so many people come that the diehard tennis fan can't get to see matches that they used to have no trouble getting to. It would be terrible to think that once a year fans will replace the more knowledgeable tennis fan. Good to hear your view, but still don't think the organisers would view this tournament as a flop.
Jason Cave
Guest
Could we see the possibility of Federer just playing at tournaments like Indian Wells and Miami and also the Legends series, but not the big 5-set majors like the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open plus the Davis Cup?
In Brief
Guest
Having attended the tournament on a ground pass I have to say the numbers only tell half the tale. To be honest the tournament is over attended. I've been going for five years and this year was the least enjoyable as a fan. I only went once. Why? Previously you could get into some great out court matches with relative ease, this is what a ground pass is all about. This year there was a lot of standing around in the sun waiting for matches or catching a glimpse through a fence. We finally got seats for two matches but honesty the overall experience was poor.
clipper
Guest
Funny way to describe a tournament which had record attendances, two gripping finals with the 1 and 2 women's seeds fighting for the no. 1 spot.
Brian
Guest
He has indicated he will play his home tournament in Basle in both 2018 and 2019. So my feeling is the plan is to retire at the end of 2019 with 2019 being a farewell year from the tour.
Big Daddy
Guest
It's a pleasure to watch him play. Even at 36 he shows what a big gap between him and rest of field. What does annoy me is the channel 7 media hacks getting their 2 Bob's worth in when you don't see them for rest of tournament. It's a wonder Bruce wasn't their. Same in rugby league when SOO and GF is on. They just can't help themselves.
Cat
Roar Guru
Maybe, can’t see him going out when he is playing as good as he is. Just watching him you can tell he still loves playing. Most players end up pulling the pin when the effort ends up being more than the fun. Fed looks like he is still having a blast to me.
jamesb
Guest
He will be turning 37 this year. Obviously the end is nearer.
Cat
Roar Guru
Doubt there’s any plan to but he’d know the end could come quickly at any point. I imagine he will keep playing as long as he can keeping playing to his standard.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I hope so as well Cat, but that's probably not going to happen. I think the other thing is - Federer is the kind of guy who will want to go out on top. He would never have come back from that crippling injury in 2016 otherwise. I suspect Wimbledon might be the end for him. 21 grand slams seems a fitting number to go out on.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That's what I took out of that speech. I've never seen him so emotional.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, I don't think many expected a five-set match this evening. Another incredible final. Two in two years and really, if we are to talk about the women's as well, two in two nights. Federer has won three majors in 12 months. That does wrap up The Roar's live coverage of the 2018 Australian Open though. On behalf of David Holden, Alan Nicolea and Tim Miller who have formed the rest of the team covering the tournament, thanks for joining us not only tonight, but over the past fortnight for all of our coverage of the first grand slam of the year. It's been a great grand slam. So many good matches, so many memories again. Hopefully you have enjoyed everything here on The Roar. We have some upcoming tennis coming our way though. The Davis Cup starts this Friday and the tie between Australia and Germany, set to be played in Brisbane will be live on The Roar from 1pm (AEDT). Be sure to join me for the first two singles matches of that. For now though, Goodnight.
Cat
Roar Guru
Someone is full of himself. Was a great open with some remarkable and memorable matches.
jamesb
Guest
Just wonder if Federer is retiring? He didn't say "see you next year?"
Cat
Roar Guru
All credit to Cilic for never giving in and putting a heck of a match on. To be able to play the quality of tennis Federer does at his age is just incredible. Roger is the perfect combination of skill, class, humility, fierce competitiveness and does it all with a smile on his face and a full appreciation of all around him. I hope he can play another 5 years.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Federer now on his way up. 20 grand slams, 6 Australian Opens. Is there anything this man can't do? He could well go to 21 at Wimbledon later this year. He will never be caught in this generation, maybe ever. Federer. "I'm so happy. It's so unbelievable. It's a long day waiting for the finals, it's easier when it's in the afternoon. You sleep,you play, you do your best. When it's night, you think about the match all day. I'm happy it's over, but winning. Amazing, the fairytale continues for me, for us. After the great win I had last year, it's incredible. "Of course, I'd like to thank Marin. Another great tournament and world No.3. That's a hell of an achievement, so keep doing what you're doing. "I've had a wonderful time in Australia. Started in Perth, arrived last year and still hear. Had the best time as a family and a team. Like Marin said, you guys (Australia) are unbelievable. "I'd like to thank everyone at the tournament. The volunteers are some of the best in the world. I remember from the Sydney Olympics, you love what you do. Then this beautiful arena. Rocket (Rod Laver) - great to see you again. It's always a celebration of tennis when the tournament comes to an end." "You guys. You fill the stadiums, you make me nervous. You make me practice. It wouldn't be the same without you guys. "To Marin's team, all the best. "To my team. I love you guys. "Thankyou." Look, there was no official declaration of a retirement, but I've never seen Federer so emotional talking about everything. I strongly doubt we are going to see him in Australia again. Savour it folks. There will be no one like him again. He is the best.
Mr.Media
Roar Rookie
ANOTHER FLOP AUSSIE OPEN IS OVER with the same mistakes, replays that don't work, no air-conditioning, balls called in when they were out, balls called out when they were in, Jim Courier is a good commentator not sure about the rest sounding more like a bunch of loonies and boring ones too. Stop advertising crappy TV programs no one even watches them and advertising gambling which costs Aussies over a Billion lost dollars per year. And why play the Australian National Anthem before the final there aren't any Aussies in there anyway ...????!!!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great to see Cilic pushing up to world No.3 tomorrow. Nadal will still be 1, Federer 2. Cilic. "First of all. Big congratulations to Roger and his team. It's amazing what you guys do year after year. All the best for 2018. "It was an amazing journey for me to come here to the final. It could have been the best two weeks of my life, but it was a tough match. I had a slight chance at the start of the fifth, but Roger played an unbelievable fifth set. "I want to thank my team for the last two weeks. We have started this year well and hopefully we are going to be lifting many grand slam titles in future. "I want to congratulation the tournament. It's amazing what you guys do.... It was my honour and privilege to play here in front of you for the final. I hope I'll be playing here for many years to come. I thank you for your support. It was amazing. And thanks to the fans at home. I hope 2018 is going to be an amazing year."
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cilic on the way up now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Jake Garner now getting his acknowledgement for being the umpire this evening.