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Australian Open: Roger Federer makes it 20 Grand Slams and counting

By Harry Floyd

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Roger Federer of Switzerland acknowledges the fans with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after winning the 2018 Australian Open Men's Singles Final against Marin Cilic of Croatia on day 14 of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Roger Federer of Switzerland acknowledges the fans with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after winning the 2018 Australian Open Men's Singles Final against Marin Cilic of Croatia on day 14 of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) /
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Australian Open action concludes in historic fashion. Swiss superstar Roger Federer is your men’s singles champion, earning his 20th career Grand Slam.

Australian Open action ends with Roger Federer making history yet again. As he said in his post-match speech, “the fairy tale continues.”

The 36-year-old Swiss great continues to solidify himself as the best in men’s singles by winning his 20th career Grand Slam. It is is his sixth at Melbourne Park. Winning in five sets, he defeats Croatian tennis star Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

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Cilic gave Federer his most difficult test yet at this year’s Australian Open. It is fitting that it went down in the finals and especially appropriate that both Cilic and Federer practiced together during the offseason. The two went back and forth throughout the match, but it would be Federer who would find his rhythm in the fifth and final set.

Roger Federer has now won 20 Grand Slam singles titles.

The emotion of it all hit Federer immediately following his speech on the court. He has now won 20 of the total 200 Grand Slams in the Open Era

There is no reason to think that the Swiss great will slow down any time soon. Winning two majors last year, Federer kicks off the year right where it all began in 2017. Look for him to be the player to beat on the 2018 ATP World Tour.

Next: Top 10: Men's Singles Tennis

Australian Open
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 28: An emotional Roger Federer of Switzerland on stage with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after winning the 2018 Australian Open Men’s Singles Final against Marin Cilic of Croatia on day 14 of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) /

Hats off to Cilic too. He will be one of the best on tour this year. Seeing a resurgence in the past two years, the Croatian ought to have another shot at a major tournament title later in the year. He will of course have to get past Federer, but he showed that he can hang with the 20-time Grand Slam winner. Elsewhere at Melbourne Park, Caroline Wozniacki wins his first ever Grand Slam. Taking the Australian Open final over then world No. 1 Simona Halep, Wozniacki wins the title bringing her the major win and the top ranking in women’s singles.

Stay tuned to see if Federer can continue to make history as we move into the bulk of the 2018 ATP World Tour. He should be the player to beat all year long, especially if several other top players see interruptions due to injury. Federer’s strategic and disciplined approach to the sport have set him apart from everyone else in men’s singles tennis. Check back to see if he can continue to defy the odds throughout the remainder of 2018.

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