Roger Federer wins 20th grand slam title after five-set win over Marin Cilic in Australian Open final

ROGER Federer is the greatest of all-time and the Swiss master has claimed his 20th grand slam title after a five-set win over Marin Cilic in the Australian Open final.

Roger Federer has won his 20th grand slam title. Picture: Getty

ALREADY a legend, now an immortal.

Roger Federer has soared even higher into the grand slam stratosphere after annexing a record 20th men’s singles major with tense Australian Open victory over Marin Cilic.

The ageless Swiss logged the landmark triumph 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 3-6 6-1 over sixth seed Cilic, further cementing his station in the pantheon of tennis greats with trademark genius.

At 36 years and 173 days, Federer is the third oldest man to win a major behind Ken Rosewall, who was 37 years 62 days when he lifted the 1972 Australian Open.

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Mal Anderson was 36 years and 306 days when he also won the Australian title.

With 41 winners and 24 aces to Cilic’s 45 and 16, Federer notched his first successful defence of a major since the 2008 US Open.

An emotional Roger Federer with his trophy. Picture: Michael Klein

Roger Federer kisses his newest Australian Open trophy.

Watched by his idol Rod Laver, Federer weathered an inspired Cilic comeback to take sole possession of fourth place on the overall grand slam pecking order behind Margaret Court (24), Serena Williams (23) and Steffi Graf (22).

With eight Wimbledon trophies, six Australian and five US Open titles and a sole French Open crown, Federer is the first man to achieve 20 singles majors.

He previously triumphed at Melbourne Park in 2004, ‘06, ‘07, ‘10 and last season.

Contentiously, the match was played indoors after tournament referee Wayne McKewen exercised a discretionary clause in the tournament’s extreme heat policy and closed the roof.

Roger Federer reacts on match point as he officially claimed grand slam No.20. Picture: Michael Klein

The sterile conditions were expected to suit Federer — and did so, especially early when Cilic blundered through a horrible start.

But he was resolute and almost stole Federer’s thunder.

Successful defence of the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup means Federer now owns four more majors than nearest rival Rafael Nadal (16).

Underlining standing as the greatest of his generation, and probably of all-time, Pete Sampras (14), Novak Djokovic (12), Roy Emerson (12), Laver (11) and Bjorn Borg (11) are the only men to snare more than 10 slam crowns.

Roger Federer has won six slam titles at Melbourne Park.

Emphasising Federer’s enduring brilliance, his latest major materialised 15 years after his first — at Wimbledon in 2003, when he beat Mark Philippoussis.

Bidding to become the first Croat to win the Australian Open, Cilic opened terribly, dropping serve twice to quickly trail 1-5.

Sealing the set after only 24 minutes, Federer continued to dominate the towering Cilic — but he also had his own challenges.

Serving second, he staved off a set point in the 10th game as the contest intensified.

Federer snatched an early tiebreak lead, only to have it erased by a rocketing Cilic forehand return.

Cilic continued to pile on pressure and held two set points at 6-4 after landing another monster forehand.

No.6 seed Marin Cilic pushed Federer all the way to five sets. Picture: Mark Stewart

Federer saved the first on his own serve before Cilic levelled the match with a terminal smash.

Pushed to the limit, Federer continued to build returning pressure on Cilic and edged to a 4-2 third-set lead.

Under immense pressure, Federer produced the shot of the tournament — a flicked forehand half-volley off the baseline to deny Cilic — before sealing the set with his 19th ace.

Sensing Cilic’s panic, Federer closed in for the kill and when the Croat obliged with unforced error, the Swiss steamed to a 3-1 buffer.

But, as Federer’s service wavered, Cilic launched a counter-assault to break for the first time in the match to level at 3-all.

Rocked, Federer was broken again two games later as rampaging Cilic wreaked more havoc before sending the match into a deciding set.

Roger Federer has now won six Australian Open titles.

The Swiss struggled again early in the fifth, but used cunning and guile to turn the tide with successive service breaks as Cilic’s brave bid petered out.

Contesting his 107th Open match at Melbourne Park, Federer posted his 94th victory at the site.

Djokovic and Roy Emerson are the only other men to win six Australian crowns.

Federer has now contested 30 major finals, seven more Nadal (23), from a record 72 grand slam tournaments — an astonishing strike rate and testament to his durability.

Federer earned $4 million for the win, while Cilic picked up $2 million.

FEDERER’S GRAND SLAM TITLES

Australian Open — 2004, ‘06, ‘07, ‘10, ‘17, ‘18

French Open — 2009

Wimbledon — 2003, ‘04, ‘05, ‘06, ‘07, ‘09, ‘12, ‘17

US Open — 2004, ‘05, ‘06, ‘07, ‘08

ALL-TIME MOST GRAND SLAM SINGLES TITLES

Margaret Court — 24

Serena Williams — 23

Steffi Graf — 22

Roger Federer 20

Helen Wills Moody — 19

Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova — 18