And he has done it! Roger Federer returns to the finals of the first Grand Slam of the year after seven years. He ousted his fellow countryman Stan Wawrinka in four sets 7-5 6-3 1-6 4-6 6-3.
Wawrinka, who called for a medical timeout at the end of the second set, took the third set in mere 26 minutes. And when both were neck to neck in the 4th set, Stan took the crucial break and pushed the match into a decider. Finally, it was Federer who emerged as the winner.
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Roger Federer had earlier suggested that the increase in court speed at this year’s Australian Open is the reason why the top seeds are struggling to make it to the later stages. This explains the fact that it is the first time since 2011 that neither of the top two seeds have failed to make it to the final of the year’s first Slam.
Next, he faces the winner of Grigor Dimitrov and Rafael Nadal, setting up high hopes of a Fedal Final.
Here’s how the twitter reacted to this five set marathon!
HE'S DONE IT! #Federer is into his 28th Grand Slam Final def. countryman Wawrinka in a 5 set thriller 7-5 6-3 1-6 4-6 6-3. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/k6H2Dg5unA
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2017
Roger #Federer is in the #AusOpen Final thanks to a 75 63 16 46 63 win over #Wawrinka! pic.twitter.com/g8XxpRRgEb
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) January 26, 2017
Thanks for the Amazing game!!! 🇨🇭#inspiration #mustbelove @rogerfederer @stanwawrinka pic.twitter.com/3ytfkf0P1U
— Timea Bacsinszky (@TimeaOfficial) January 26, 2017
Congratulations @rogerfederer #AusOpen 2017 finalist pic.twitter.com/eEansnTXUH
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2017
Wow @rogerfederer in the #AusOpen final! Great to watch! Would be epic if @RafaelNadal makes it too!!
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) January 26, 2017
Superrr @rogerfederer 👏👏#AusOpen 2017 finals 👍👍
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) January 26, 2017
Federer is the lowest-ranked man to reach #AusOpen final since Tsonga in 2008 & any Grand Slam final since Soderling at Roland Garros 2009.
— Michal Samulski (@MichalSamulski) January 26, 2017
Roger Federer, 35, is the oldest man to reach a Grand Slam singles final since Ken Rosewall, 39, at the 1974 US Open.
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) January 26, 2017
Roger #Federer defeats Stan Wawrinka 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3 to enter his SIXTH #AusOpen and 28th Grand Slam final. https://t.co/WAHDfri95G pic.twitter.com/zhrfsq2NIO
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) January 26, 2017
Tremendous tennis Federer v Wawrinka – what a great battle. #AusOpen
— Ned Zelic (@NedZelic) January 26, 2017
Got a surf comp tomorrow but this Federer vs wawrinka match is making me stay awake late! 😳😍🙄🙈💪🏽 #AusOpen @AustralianOpen
— Paige Hareb (@paigehareb) January 26, 2017
Couldn't sleep so I turned on the tennis.
As a longtime Federer fan, that was sublime and inspiring.— Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) January 26, 2017
Tennis fans spread all over the world just want one (maybe) last @rogerfederer x @RafaelNadal grand slam final!!
— Martim Mariano ✍🏼 🗣 🤷🏻♂️ (@mnmariano) January 26, 2017
If you are not watching…Flick on #7Tennis to watch @rogerfederer & @stanwawrinka …..What a game #AusOpen 😱😱😱
— Karen Stocks 🌏🌞 (@KazStocks) January 26, 2017
Federer 248-2 at majors when winning the first two sets. Amazing that he lost two of six such matches in 2011.
— Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) January 26, 2017
At the @AustralianOpen… #Federer has never lost from 2 sets up#Wawrinka has never won from 2 sets down#AusOpen
— Joshua Kay (@js_kay) January 26, 2017
SNAP!
Stan #Wawrinka breaking racquets but not #Federer… 😅#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/X7W1Mnbn98
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2017
People applauding Federer winning the 1st set to people applauding Federer saving his service. That's what it degenerates to these days
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) January 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/ESPNTennis/status/824574532266582019
The Swiss No.1 has a 3-18 record Vs Swiss No.2.#Wawrinka struggling to put weight on his knee & #Federer ruthlessly attacks his FH #AusOpen
— rajesh (@rajeshworld) January 26, 2017
#Federer breaks #Wawrinka and it's back on serve in the 4th set #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/rV6QLT2P34
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2017
#rogerfederer #AustralianOpen great match guys – go Roger!
— Trish Egan (@TrishEgan4) January 26, 2017
And we've got our first 5 set epic!!!federer versus wawrinka the best extra money I've ever spent #AusOpen #comeonfederer
— Nicholas Corre (@NickCorre) January 26, 2017
Please just do it 🙏🙏🙏 #AusOpen #federer https://t.co/k3jHbw7huq
— devrim karakaya (@dvrmmkrkyy) January 26, 2017
Federer calls Wawrinka "the diesel" – as in he takes a little while to get going but once he gets going…..
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) January 26, 2017
Tactical injury timeout by Federer. Weird match continues #AusOpen #FedererVsWawrinka
— Bill BC (@billbc19) January 26, 2017
Federer has 69 wins NEVER lost a match after leading 2 sets to 0 in #AustralianOpen
— Break Point (@BreakPointBR) January 26, 2017