Roger Federer beats Marin Cilic to clinch his sixth Australian Open

Roger Federer in his match against Marin Cilic [Photo: Courtesy]

Switzerland’s Roger Federer claimed a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title with a 6-2 6-7(5) 6-3 3-6 6-1 victory over Croatia’s Marin Cilic on Sunday.

The 36-year-old defending champion won the opening set in 24 minutes under the Rod Laver Arena roof before Cilic, playing his first final in Melbourne, found his range with a barrage of big hitting to drag the showpiece match into a deciding set.

Federer looked vulnerable at the start of the deciding set but once he fought off a break point in the first game he re-established control and surged to his 20th grand slam title.

Cilic had destroyed Kyle Edmund’s dream of playing in his first ever Grand bSlam final. The 29 year old star has become the first ever Croat to the final stage at the Australian Open.