Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal to win Australian Open title

So there we have it then! Roger Federer has won his 18th Grand Slam title with a gruelling five set win over his greatest rival Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open final at the Rod Laver Arena.

The 35-year-old becomes the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title in more than 40 years after winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 3-6, 6-3. It was his fifth Australian Open title in his ninth Australian Open final against Nadal.

 

5th Set: Roger Federer 6-3 Rafael Nadal

 

He's done it! No.18 is here at last! Roger Federer has beaten Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to win his 18th Grand Slam title.

5th Set: Roger Federer 5-3 Rafael Nadal

He's one game away from doing it! In probably the game of the match, Federer has come out on top and will now serve for the championship.

5th Set: Roger Federer 4-3 Rafael Nadal

There seems to be a wind in Federer's sails as he completes a magnificent service game to take the lead.

5th Set: Roger Federer 3-3 Rafael Nadal

He's done it! Federer breaks Nadal's serve and levels the fifth set. Can he get a momentum swing from here?

5th Set: Roger Federer 2-3 Rafael Nadal

It's extremely between the two great rivals and Federer is pushing Nadal hard, forcing the Spaniard into an unforced error to take the game.

5th Set: Roger Federer 1-3 Rafael Nadal

Nadal survives another backhand onslaught on from Federer to hold on to his serve.

5th Set: Roger Federer 1-2 Rafael Nadal

There still seems to be a lot of fight left in the most successful men's tennis player of all time as Federer gets on the scoreboard for the fifth set with a trademark cross-court backhand.

5th Set: Roger Federer 0-2 Rafael Nadal

Federer comes close to breaking the Nadal serve but the Spaniard holds on with a couple of glorious forehands down the line.

5th Set: Roger Federer 0-1 Rafael Nadal

Nadal looks fired up like he did at the start of the second set as he breaks the Federer serve to take the initiative in the deciding set.

4th Set: Roger Federer 3-6 Rafael Nadal

The Australian Open final of 2017 is proving to be worth the hype as Rafael Nadal wins the fourth set 6-3 to take it to a fifth deciding set.

4th Set: Roger Federer 2-5 Rafael Nadal

Nadal is making sure this will be a test of endurance as a fifth set looks extremely likely. Federer will now serve to stay in the set.

4th Set: Roger Federer 1-4 Rafael Nadal

No sooner have I said it, Nadal breaks the Federer and then holds his own to finish off with an incredible cross-court winner to take control.

4th Set: Roger Federer 1-2 Rafael Nadal

After three power-packed sets, the fourth one has begun in a steady manner. Both players have successfully held serve.

3rd Set: Roger Federer 6-1 Rafael Nadal

It has been dominant set from Federer and he has blown Nadal away a 6-1 scoreline.

3rd Set: Roger Federer 4-1 Rafael Nadal

There is no let up from Federer. After Nadal barely manages to hold on to his serve, the Swiss maestro produces a dominant service game to extend his lead.

3rd Set: Roger Federer 2-0 Rafael Nadal

After a gruelling opening game in which he just about managed to hold serve, Federer has gone and broken Nadal to take an early lead in the third set.

2nd Set: Roger Federer 3-6 Rafael Nadal

Nadal produces a strong service game to take the second set. We are in for a humdinger here! It's one set apiece.

2nd Set: Roger Federer 3-5 Rafael Nadal

Both players hold their serve and Rafa now has the chance to level the match as he serves for the set.

2nd Set: Roger Federer 2-4 Rafael Nadal

Federer's not given up on this set just yet as he breaks Nadal back and hold his own serve.

2nd Set: Roger Federer 0-4 Rafael Nadal

Nadal gets another break and is looking unstoppable in the second set.

2nd Set: Roger Federer 0-2 Rafael Nadal

Nadal seems to have shaken off the rust as he fights back immediately to break Federer's opening service game.

1st Set: Roger Federer 6-4 Rafael Nadal

He's looked slick so far and his reward for it is winning the first set. Roger Federer takes it 6-4.

1st Set: Roger Federer 4-3 Rafael Nadal

Federer breaks Nadal's serve with some aggressive stroke-play forcing the Spaniard into a couple of unforced errors.

1st Set: Roger Federer 2-3 Rafael Nadal

Some great exhibition of top-class serving by Roger Federer in that stretch of play. However, Rafa Nadal also came back strongly with good serves of his own.

1st Set: Roger Federer 1-2 Rafael Nadal

Both players hold their serves. Nadal seems to be very tight with his serve, while Federer had a little trouble getting his first service game out of the way.

1st Set: Roger Federer 0-1 Rafael Nadal

Nadal takes the first serve, and makes a strong start to the match. Federer did not even manage to get a single point in that game.

Melbourne: The big day is upon us as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are set to reprise one of the greatest rivalries in modern day sport.

At the beginning of the tournament, nobody in their right mind would have expected the two legends to make the finals let alone against each other. But sport has always shown a sense of theatre when it comes to things like these and this is no different.

After Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic made early exits, fans have been waiting with bated breath, hoping against all hope that they could see Federer and Nadal crossing swords in a Grand Slam final again. And they have got their wish.