Imperious Federer tames brave Gonzalez
(Reuters)Updated: 2007-01-28 19:31
 Switzerland's Roger Federer celebrates winning the men's final match against Chile's Fernando Gonzalez at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 28, 2007. [Reuters]  |
The top seed and world number one wore down the 10th seed to clinch victory in two hours 20 minutes, becoming the first man to win a grand slam without losing a set since Bjorn Borg at the 1980 French Open.
Gonzalez battled gamely but was powerless to resist the Swiss master, who worked his opponent relentlessly around the court before crunching a backhand winner on his first match point and collapsing to the court on his back in celebration.
"I've had a great run here this year and I'm very proud to be holding this trophy again," Federer told the crowd.
The first set went with serve to 4-4, both players making unforced errors as they struggled to adjust to the windy conditions on Rod Laver Arena.
Gonzalez then took advantage of a lucky netcord to break Federer but the Swiss hit straight back, saving two set points before levelling at 5-5 with a whipped backhand winner.
Federer held comfortably and Gonzalez had to battle to save four set points in his next service game and force a tiebreak.
BRILLIANT WINNER
Federer raced into a 5-0 lead before Gonzalez stopped the rot with two successive points, but the world number one clinched the set in 65 minutes with a brilliant crosscourt forehand winner.
Gonzalez received treatment on a shoulder injury during the changeover but the opening six games of the second set were dominated by serve with both players holding twice to love.
Federer pounced in the seventh game, however, moving his opponent patiently around the court and taking advantage of Gonzalez errors to break to 15 for 4-3.
The 26-year-old Chilean clung on to hold his serve and trail 4-5 but Federer held serve to love and clinched the set with an ace.
The start of the third set was again dominated by serve but while Federer was holding comfortably every game the tiring Gonzalez was having to work hard.
The top seed once again made his move in the seventh game of the set and a 24-shot rally, the longest of the match, left Gonzalez exhausted.
The Chilean gamely saved four break points but finally cracked and the 25-year-old Federer served out to love to claim his third Australian Open title.
Gonzalez had beaten former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, fifth seed James Blake, second seed Rafael Nadal and German Tommy Haas on a swashbuckling run to his first grand slam final.
"It was a really special tournament for me," Gonzalez said after losing to Federer for the 10th successive time. "Roger is a great champion and he played great all tournament."
|
||
|
||
|
|