30th January

The Federer/Nadal final is back. And how.

Federer sees off Nadal to claim 18th title

Roger Federer: 18 time Grand Slam winner. Bet you didn't think you'd be hearing that stat. I tell you what, I bet he never thought he'd hear that stat. There must have been times, in fact there were times, when Federer had considered retirement. The entire tennis world must be thanking their lucky stars that that didn't happen. With Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic humbled, the great veterans of the game: Nadal and Federer stepped up, setting up an incredible final.

And seeing both men wind back the clocks was absolutely phenomenal. If there was ever any doubt that these two players were two of the best, if not the two best ever players, then it was absolutely swept aside as they played five phenomenal sets of tennis. This was the first time that they'd met in a Grand Slam final since the 2011 French Open, and the first win for Federer in a Grand Slam final against his arch-nemesis since Wimbledon in 2007, with Nadal having beaten him in four straight slam finals since.

But whilst this was a historic and incredible for both men, neither of whom have won a Grand Slam since 2014, it was Federer who came out on top. The Swiss took the first set 6-4, but Nadal hit back immediately to storm into a 4-0 lead in the second set. Federer was able to stem the flow and break back, but Nadal took the set 6-3.

With momentum shifting left and right, the first game of the pivotal third set proved to be very important. With Nadal hammering on the door, Federer served an ace three times on break point to save the game, and went on to break immediately, taking the third set easily 6-1.

Nadal however, was not beaten, far from it. He went on to play his best tennis in the fourth set, including a truly stunning forehand reach that had his opponent applauding as he took the fourth 6-3 again. And whilst at the end of the third set it looked like Federer was going to waltz to victory, the end of the fourth signalled Nadal as serious favourite.

But whilst Nadal did get off to a flier at the start of the fifth and final set, moving a break up, the warning signs were already there as Federer missed three break points in the opening game, and went on to have double digit break points across the set. It was incredibly tense and you got the sense that if Federer was able to break back to level, that he would break again and win four straight games to take the match. And he did just that, including a truly incredible final game that featured a stunning 26 shot rally, the longest of the match. But at the end of the game, as with the match, it was the magical Swiss who came out on top, able to finally see off Nadal and take his 18th Grand Slam.

What was interesting about this match was the tactics. Nadal wanted prolonged rallies, and worked to earn them with plenty of loopy, top-spin shots to prevent Federer striking clean winners. Federer on the other hand, wanted short, sharper rallies, aware that the longer a point went on, the more it favoured his opponent. The net result was that Federer smashed far more winners, but also far more unforced errors. And although both tallies fluctuated throughout the match, by the end, Federer had secured a significant number more winners than errors.

And as the match that a generation of tennis fans never thought that they'd be able to enjoy again came to a close, the thrill of having watched two old sparring partners, at the elite of their game, go the distance yet again when it looked like both were finished, gave way to emotion, as the majority (if I might be so bold) got the result that they wanted. The undisputed King of the tennis court won his 18th Grand Slam title, his 5th Australian Open, and there were tears in his eyes as he celebrated. This might mean more to him than any of them. It was clear that he never thought he would do this again. And yet, Roger Federer, the greatest player to ever grace a tennis court, was back with a bang. And how. This one might well be the last. But if he plays like he did this month, then he'll be eyeing Wimbledon and licking his lips. Now that WOULD be a fitting way to end this man's truly incredible career.

The Hard and Fast Section

• Serena Williams continued her dominance: winning her 23rd Slam.
• England's cricketers were victims of terrific death bowling. 1-1.
• Some major FA Cup shocks. Credit to Wolves, Sutton, Lincoln. 
• Barca robbed as Real Madrid move further clear. 
• Marler fit for the Six Nations. Madness.