February 2, 2010
Australian Open- Roger Federer wins 16th Grand Slam title
By Audrey Nolan
In a final match very different from last year’s at the Australia Open, Roger Federer defeated the Brit Andy Murray in three straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (11) and earned his 16th Grand Slam title. The match lasted 2 hours and 41 minutes, demonstrating why the Swiss player is considered one of the – if not the – best in tennis history.
Last year, Federer left the Rod Laver Arena with tears in his eyes after losing the final against Spaniard Rafael Nadal. This year, a solid Federer walked into the final with confidence and in possession of the top position in world rankings.
The Grand Slam win was Federer’s first as a father; he was also the first dad to win it since 2003. In an added twist, Federer discovered that he was going to be a dad when he lost the Australian Open; this year he played for a Grand Slam for the first time as a dad.
"I'm over the moon winning this again," the 28-year-old Swiss star said. "I played some of my best tennis in my life these last two weeks. It's also very special -- the first Grand Slam as a father."
Andy Murray, Federer’s young opponent, had a different story. Many expected Murray to end a drought for British men, to claim the first Grand Slam for a Brit since 1936.
But it was different Murray from the one earlier in the tournament, when he nearly smashed Rafa Nadal in three sets before the Spaniard retired from the game. During the match against Federer, Murray appeared to lack confidence, unsure of how to manage the pressure applied by the Swiss.
Murray had his moments, but seemed asleep for most of the game; by the time he woke, it was far too late.
Federer managed to break Murray’s serve once in the first set and once in the second set, giving him an easy win in two sets already. By the time Murray began to fight back in the third set, it was too late. Murray managed to get ahead 5-2 but Federer responded, deciding the set in a tiebreaker in which he saved five set point and wasted two match points before he converted his third.
In this Open, it was Murray who made his presentation with tears in his eyes.
“I got great support back home the last couple of weeks. Sorry I couldn’t do it for you tonight but … He was a lot better than me tonight,” Murray said. “Hopefully, one time I can come back and win here.”
Federer seems to be playing at his highest level of tennis, and his success, according to him, is due to the challenges from a younger generation of players: Nadal and Murray, for example. Federer promises to keep working hard this year.
This was the 22nd Grand Slam final for Federer and the fourth time that he has won an Australian Open final. In each match, he has faced a different rival: Murray, Marat Safin, Marcos Baghdatis, and Fernando Gonzalez.
The title is also Federer’s 16th, a record that puts him ahead of Pete Sampras with 14; the Swiss is likely to win more during the year. His next major tournament will be in May, where he will defend his title in Roland Garros.
About the Author
Audrey Nolan has been a prominent writer on daily Australian Open tennis games and other sports news and the sports book industry for many exceptional sport web sites. You may reprint this article in its full content, please note no modifications to it are accepted.