Australian Open 2018: How did Roger Federer defeat Marin Cilic? A set-by-set breakdown

The Australian Open final promised to be a thriller and it did not disappoint. In the end, Roger Federer beat Marin Cilic in 5-sets 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to win the title for the sixth time in his career.

The ageless Swiss had not lost a set in the tournament until the finals. And after the first set, it looked like Federer would continue the pattern.

But Cilic had other ideas. The World No. 6 was the first Croatian to reach the Australian Open Finals and at one time seemed set to spoil Federer's amazing march to Slam No. 20. Let's see how the match unfolded set by set.

First Set: Federer 6-2

Federer wins the first set easily

The Swiss Master got off to a flying start, leading 4-0 before Cilic got on the scorecard. The Croat appeared to be nervous playing in his first Australian Open final and sprayed errors around the court, even flubbing an easy overhead smash. He had 12 unforced errors in the set while Federer had only 3.

Federer was impeccable on his own serve, winning 16 of 18 service points with Cilic not getting past 15 in any game. Cilic settled down and won his last 2 service games but by then it was too late as Federer served for the set and wrapped it up in 24 minutes.

Both players hit 3 aces with no double faults.

Second Set: Cilic 7-6(5)

Cilic wins the tie-break

Cilic settled down and his level of play improved after the first set bashing. His service games and return games started to trouble Federer, and he was getting into the groove from the baseline too.

Both players had chances to break but were not able to convert. Federer was in trouble in his very first service game with Cilic getting a double break chance but the Swiss served his way out of trouble.

Federer had a break point in the next game but after 5 deuces Cilic eventually held. Cilic saved 2 more break points in the 5th and 9th games, and had a set point in the 10th game as the Swiss hit a double fault. But Federer again saved it with some good serving.

The Swiss took an early lead in the tie-break only for Cilic to storm back and earn 3 set points. He wrapped up the set on his second set point in 1 hour and 24 minutes.

Federer had 3 double faults and 12 unforced errors, while Cilic had 16 unforced errors.

Third Set: Federer 6-3

Federer in control in the third set

After dropping a set in the tournament for the first time, Federer took control in the third set - firing 7 aces and not giving Cilic any break points. He took the break in the 6th game to go up 4-2, and pretty much cruised from there.

Federer reduced his errors from 12 in the second set to 10 in the third, and hit 8 winners to Cilic's 5. Cilic's performance was not particularly bad as he had only 8 errors, but he was unable to make a dent on the Federer serve.

Federer earned 3 set points on his serve and needed only one as he hit an ace and wrapped up the set in 27 minutes.

Fourth Set: Cilic 6-3

Cilic forces a 5th set

Federer started well and broke Cilic in the very first game and got a break point in Cilic's next service game as well, which Cilic saved. The Croat's serve was improving though, as he hit 4 aces and landed 77% of first serves in. Federer's serve on the other hand went down a notch as he landed only 36% of first serves.

Cilic started to put pressure on the Federer serve, pushing the veteran around the court. In the 6th game, Cilic broke to love and then saved a break point on his serve to go up 4-3.

Federer's improved backhand misfired the whole night with 5 errors in the set and 25 in the match. Cilic took advantage to take a second break to go up 5-3 and win the set in 35 minutes.

Fifth Set: Federer 6-1

Federer raises his arms in victory

Unexpectedly, the match was into a fifth set and Federer looked annoyed with himself for his wasted chances. The momentum was with Cilic as he looked to break the Federer serve three times in a row. But Federer dug deep, saved 2 break points, and won the opening game after 3 deuces.

The Swiss master seemed to be feeling the pressure as he lashed out a line judge after a botched call in the next game. But the pressure was on Cilic as well, and he cracked to serve 2 double faults which allowed Federer to get the break and consolidate to go up 3-0.

Cilic's game disintegrated with 14 errors to Federer's 5, and the latter raced to a 5-1 lead to serve for the championship. The Swiss maestro eventually got 3 championship points and needed only 1.

In a deja-vu moment from last year's final, Cilic challenged the title winning shot only to be given the confirmation that Roger Federer was the 2018 Australian champion.

Federer congratulated by Cilic

Roger Federer: The Ageless Swiss

Federer with his 6th Australian Open trophy

Roger Federer has now reached a record 7 Australian Open finals. This is his 6th title, tying him for most all-time Australian Open titles with Roy Emerson and Novak Djokovic. This was also his 30th Grand Slam Final and 20th Grand Slam title; both records.

For Cilic this was his 3rd Grand Slam final and he will rue the lost opportunity in the first game of the 5th set. Nevertheless, he will now become World No. 3, which is a tremendous achievement.

Federer on the other hand will be 155 points away from Rafael Nadal for the World No 1 spot. He is the first man to win 20 Grand Slams and 4th person overall, the others being Margaret Court with 24, Serena Williams with 23, and Steffi Graf with 22. Amazingly, Federer has won the 3 of the last 4 Grand Slams he has competed in.

Federer overcome with emotion

Federer was overcome with emotion while giving his thanks in his acceptance speech, and shed more than a few tears of joy.

As observers we can only say congratulations to Roger Federer as he continues to defy time and mesmerize the world with his high standard of play.