Federer in seventh heaven

ByEurosport

Published 29/01/2006 at 11:31 GMT

Switzerland's Roger Federer won his seventh career major title with a four set win over Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis in the Australian Open final on Sunday. He recovered from losing the opening set to win 5-7 7-5 6-0 6-2 against a tiring opponent and win a th

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Baghdatis M. final

Image credit: Reuters

The world number one withstood an early onslaught from his underdog opponent to finally wrap up his second Australian Open title after coming from a set and a break down.

But it could have been so different. An over-rule from the umpire on set-point in the second gave the set to Federer and with it the tide finally turned his way.

Despite being urged on by his legion of supporters, Baghdatis seemed to simply run out of steam in the final two sets, struggling with cramp as Federer moved inexorably towards the finish line.

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TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Baghdatis M. final

Image credit: Reuters

The Swiss star wrapped up the title, dropping just two games as he took the final two sets to secure a tearful reunion with the trophy he last won back in 2004.

STUNNING START

Both players hit the ground running in the opening set, trading winners with, surprisingly, Baghdatis looking the more secure man on serve.

Indeed, the Cypriot bagged the first break of serve in the fifth game, forcing an error from the Federer forehand before handing the initiative back to his opponent with a double-fault on break-point in the next.

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Baghdatis M. final

Image credit: Reuters

However, he was able to hold his nerve, belying his inexperience as he took on the usually unstoppable Federer forehand to break again for 6-5 before serving out for the opening set in front of his delirious fans.

Baghdatis even broke again at the start of the next set as his opponent struggled with his own game as an upset became a real possibility.

TURNING POINT

This seemed to jog Federer's memory though, and he was able to break back in the fourth game and the set moved towards a tie-break as both men produced some stunning tennis.

The match turned in the Basel man's favour in the twelfth game, as Baghdatis served to take the set into the breaker.

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Baghdatis M.

Image credit: Reuters

On set point to Federer, Baghdatis seemed to hit a clear winner down the line but the umpire over-ruled to level things at a set apiece and there was to be no looking back as the top seed powered away from his tiring opponent.

The third set passed in the blink of an eye, 24 minutes to be precise, and with it any chance that the Cypriot had of success on the biggest day of his career.

CRAMPED

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Baghdatis M. final

Image credit: Reuters

The current world number 54 started to suffer from cramp in the early stages of the fourth set, and Federer was in no mood to be generous as he looked to complete the third leg of his attempt to hold all four major titles simultaneously.

To his credit, Baghdatis rallied from 4-0 down in the set to hold serve to cut short a string of eleven unanswered games from Roger, but is was too little too late.

Eventually, the Cypriot put a backhand into the net on match-point and the celebrations could begin for the unassuming Swiss man as he moved halfway to reaching the major record of Pete Sampras at just 24 years of age.

TENNIS 2006 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Federer R. - Baghdatis M. final

Image credit: Reuters

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