Roger Federer's 3 most memorable matches at the Australian Open

Roger Federer, making his 21st consecutive appearance at the tournament, opened 2020 Australian Open campaign with a straight-sets victory over American Steve Johnson.

In the process, the 38-year-old extended his streak of clearing the opening hurdle at a Grand Slam tournament for the 63rd consecutive occasion. The run dates back to his loss against Luis Horna of Czech Republic at Roland Garros 2003, which remains Federer's 6th and latest first-round exit at a Major.

#1 2008 3R: Beats Janko Tipsarevic 6-7(5), 7-6(1), 5-7, 6-1, 10-8

Roger Federer (right) and Janko Tipsarevic at the 2008 Australian Open

The two-time defending champion Federer met his match in Serb Janko Tipsarevic in the third round of the 2008 Australian Open.

Outplayed from the baseline and profligate on the break points - Federer converted just five of his 21 break opportunities, compared to Tipsarevic going 3 for 3 - the Swiss was in danger of losing before the quarters at a Major for the first time since 2004.

Afflicted by a bout of mono at the start of the tournament, Federer looked to be back in his groove when he served for the first set at 5-4. But Tipsarevic broke back and took the set on a tiebreak to ensure that Federer would have anything but a straightforward outing.

It was Federer who was the brighter player in the second, taking it on a tiebreak to restore parity. But he fell behind for the second time in the match when Tipsarevic took the third 7-5.

The world No. 1 commenced his fightback by taking the fourth for the loss of just one game. Just when it looked like Tipsarevic would fold in the fifth, the bespectacled Serb gave Federer an almighty scare.

Leading 40-0 on serve at 8 games all in the decider, Tipsarevic looked good to hold serve when Federer unleashed some brilliance. The Swiss blazed a backhand winner down the line and won two more points to bring the game to deuce.

On a rare break point opportunity, Federer hit a sublime crosscourt backhand pass past a net-rushing Tipsarevic and promptly served out a victory that he wouldn't forget for a long time.

#2 2013 Quarterfinals: Beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3

Federer and Tsonga meet at the net at the 2013 Australian Open

An imperious Roger Federer rolled through the first four rounds of the 2013 Australian Open without dropping serve, but the streak threatened to come to an end when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga broke for a 4-2 lead in the first set of the quarterfinals. To his credit though, the then-4 time champion broke back and took the set on a tiebreak.

However, Federer dropped his first set in the tournament when Tsonga took the second 6-4. The Swiss then reasserted his ascendancy in the match by taking the third set on a tiebreak, to surge ahead for the second time in the match.

Once again, Tsonga refused to go away. The 2008 finalist took the fourth set 6-3 to force a decider.

The Frenchman's challenge finally came to an end when Federer grabbed an early break in the fifth. And despite Tsonga saving four consecutive match points at 5-2, it was the Swiss superstar who closed out the win on serve to reach a 10th consecutive semifinal at the tournament.

#1 2017 Final: Beats Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3

Federer beat Nadal to lift his 5th Australian Open title in 2017

Following the longest injury layoff of his illustrious career, World No. 17 Roger Federer exceeded expectations by reeling off respective five-set wins over Kei Nishikori in the fourth round and Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals. It was the then 35-year-old's first Australian Open final in seven years, the last coming in his 2020 title triumph.

Federer's quest to end a four and a half year Major drought faced a formidable hurdle in the form of Rafael Nadal. Federer was winless against his arch-nemesis in Grand Slam matches since the 2007 Wimbledon final - a run which encompassed semifinal losses at the Australian Open in 2012 and 2014, and a five-set final defeat in 2009.

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Despite the odds stacked against him, Federer made a characteristically brisk start by taking the opener 6-4. But Nadal responded by taking a 4-0 lead in the second en route to restoring parity at a set apiece.

Federer escaped three break points in the opening game of the third, and that proved crucial. Two breaks of the Nadal serve enabled the Swiss maestro take a two sets to one lead.

The return of one of the Open Era's grandest rivalries to the Grand Slam stage lived up to its billing as both players produced rallies and groundstrokes of jaw-dropping brilliance. A fifth set ensued where Nadal took a 3-1 lead, and at that point he looked set to continue his Major domination over Federer.

But Federer on the day had other ideas. Refusing to go down without a fight, Federer converted his sixth break point of the set to break back for 3-3, and then took a decisive 5-3 lead two games later.

Despite seeing Nadal save two championship points, the Swiss maestro sealed his 18th Grand Slam title with a forehand which was called in by Hawkeye.

In the process, Federer lifted his 5th Australian Open title and became the first player ever to win five titles at three different Grand Slam tournaments.