In perhaps the greatest and certainly least likely triumph of his career, Roger Federer defeated his nemesis Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final, the Swiss clinching his 18th grand slam title and all but altering the space‑time continuum in a five-set classic at the Rod Laver Arena.
With this breathtaking victory – 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in three hours and 37 minutes – Federer becomes the first man to take five or more titles at three grand slam events and, at 35, the second-oldest man behind Ken Rosewall to win a major singles trophy. Only the appearance of a wooden racket could have made it more surreal.