2017 Australian Open Men's Singles Final - Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to win Australian Open 2017 title Sunday Jan 29,2017

Roger Federer (Swiss)was in tears as he won a thrilling, five-set Australian Open final against his great rival Rafael Nadal(Spain) to clinch a record-extending 18th Grand Slam title on Sunday Jan 29,2017

Roger Federer won 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in three hours 38 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to move four major titles ahead of Rafael Nadal and Pete Sampras on the all-time winners’ list

At 35, Federer is now the second-oldest Major winner in the Open Era after Ken Rosewall (1970 US Open, 1971 and 1972 Australian Open), who was 38 when he won the 1972 Australian Open

It was Roger Federer’s fifth Australian title in his sixth final, and ended a long, seven-year wait to win again in Melbourne after his 2010 triumph over Andy Murray.

It was the 35th meeting between the two great rivals with Rafael Nadal now leading 23-12 and 6-3 in major finals, including his five-set win over Roger Federer in the 2009 Australian final.

Federer v Nadal in Grand Slam finals

2006: French Open - Nadal won 1-6 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7-4)

2006: Wimbledon - Federer won 6-0 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (2-7) 6-3

2007: French Open - Nadal won 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4

2007: Wimbledon - Federer won 7-6 (9-7) 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 2-6 6-2

2008: French Open - Nadal won 6-1 6-3 6-0

2008: Wimbledon - Nadal won 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-7 (8-10) 9-7

2009: Australian Open - Nadal won 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-2

2011: French Open - Nadal won 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 6-1

2017: Australian Open - Federer won 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3

Roger Federer also becomes the first man in history to win five or more titles at three different Grand Slam events. He has won five Australian Opens, seven Wimbledons, five US Opens and one French Open

It was also his 89th singles title victory, the third most in the Open era behind Jimmy Connors on 109 and Ivan Lendl’s 94

A general view of crowds watching the giant screens outside Rod Laver Arena during men's final match in Melbourne

Note

Federer, who spent a record 302 weeks at number one and was inside the top 10 from 2002 until 2015, saw his ranking slide to 17 - his lowest since 2001 - after he spent six months out last year with a knee injury.

The Swiss legend did not play a match from July after tumbling during the final set of a loss to Milos Raonic in the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

Federer had had surgery for the first time in his career on his left knee in February and after the Wimbledon setback he did not finish the season, missing the US Open and the Rio Olympics.

Federer  holds the all-time men’s record of 314 Grand Slam wins, and has career earnings of more than US$100 million.