Against Andy Murray To Add Tally To
16 GrandSlams .
Roger Federer dismantled Andy Murray in the Australian Open final Sunday to extend his own record to 16 Grand Slam titles and prolong the British drought.
Federer collected his fourth Australian Open title with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (11) win at Rod Laver Arena that, apart from the tiebreaker, lacked the drama and raw emotion of his five-set loss here last year to then No. 1-ranked Rafael Nadal.
Federer saved five set points and wasted two match points in the tiebreaker with some uncharacteristic shot selection before clinching it when Murray netted a backhand after 2 hours, 41 minutes.
Federer got on top early, breaking Murray's opening service game when he leaped onto a second serve and fired a forehand down the line to lead 2-0.
Murray rallied immediately, breaking Federer's serve to huge cheers from the crowd with consecutive passing shots—one which the Swiss star even had to applaud.
Federer had to save three break points in the fifth game before holding with back-to-back aces. He then broke Murray in the eighth game, lifting his intensity in perfect time so that he could serve for the set.
He had no trouble closing with a forehand winner down the line.
Federer dominated the second set after breaking Murray's serve in the third game. The Scot did fend off seven break points across two service games to ensure Federer had to serve it out.
When Federer's intensity dropped slightly in the third, Murray pounced. He broke in the sixth game, roaring "C'Mon" after rifling a forehand past Federer at the net.
He didn't face a breakpoint until he was serving to take the match into a fourth set, when Federer pounced again. He got his first breakpoint chance of the third set with an angled forehand service return and clinched it two points later when Murray netted a forehand.
Federer rallied from 5-2 down in the third to force the tiebreaker and, after saving three set points, missed his first chance to finish it off when his forehand just missed the line.
As I expected , Roger Federer won the Australian Open title .
I don't know but there's something about me making great predictions .
Anyways , for all those who haven't watched the match , I strongly advise you to watch the THIRD set . It shows how strong Federer's determination to win the title and it really does show .
Federer was down 5-2 but he managed to break back to force a tie-breaker . But I'm not gonna fill you guys in too much . There are some shots that are out of this world from both players .
You'll have to see it to believe it .
Quote of the day :
Andy Murray .
"Hopefully , one time I can come back and win here ," he added , his voice breaking .
"I got great support back home the last couple of weeks. Sorry I couldn't do it for you tonight but ... "
Murray could barely finish his thank you speech , explaining : " I can cry like Roger ; it's just a shame I can't play like him . "
( referring to Roger's sobbing moment at the finals
against Nadal .)
Congratulations to Serena Williamson he fifth Australian Open title !
As you all should know by now , Serena Williams defeated Belgium's Justine Henin by 6-4 , 3-6 , 6-2 score to grab her fifth Australian Open title .
She now has the same amount of GrandSlam titles as the great and legendary Billie Jean King of 12 titles .
Justine Henin , former world number one put on quite a fight against the current world number one with her volleys and sharp angle , pinpointed one-handed backhands that often caught Williams off guard .
In the first set however , Serena broke Henin's service to take the game up to a 6-4 lead .
During the first and second set , it was clear to see that Serena was a nervous wreck as she continued feeding some shots to Henin . Her forehand shots often landed right on the T line which gave Henin the opportunity to give a forehand winner .
But during the second set , Henin played wonderful tennis as she managed to break Serena's service giving Henin the 4-3 lead . After that , it was all downhill for Serena as she struggled to break service but failed .
However , during the third set it was obvious Serena played aggresive tennis as she continued to dominate the baseline shots . There were points of the third set where Henin's sharp angled backhands and forehands did not move the world number one at all .
Serena stood her ground and returned every shot given to her like a pro ( not that she isn't ) . Finally after breaking Henin's service , Serena was to serve for the match point . Serving 4 times with all 4 points won , Serena made a service which Henin returned the ball fell right on the line .
A disbelief-ed Serena could only smile at that point . After that , an error made by Henin ended the match by 6-4 , 3-6 , 6-2 .
Right from the beginning I knew Serena will win .
My predictions were right and I'm happy that they were .
One last time , congratulations to Serena Williams .
Queen of tennis .
Signing off ,
- Jaden -
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