January 31, 2010: Roger Federer topples Andy Murray for 16th Major crown

After winning three titles in four years in Melbourne between 2004-07, Roger Federer was halted just before the finish line in 2008 and 2009, losing to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal who took the Australian Open crown from him.

Nonetheless, Roger bounced back in 2010, conquering Melbourne Park for the fourth time to become the fifth player with som many triumphs at the first Major of the season after Jack Crawford, Ken Rosewall, Roy Emerson and Andre Agassi.

At the beginning of the season, Nikolay Davydenko defeated Federer in the semi-final of Doha and he even lost the opening set in Melbourne against Igor Andreev before dominating in the next 12 to reach the last eight where he toppled Davydenko in four sets.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga stood no chance against Roger in the semis, leaving the court in less than 90 minutes, and only Andy Murray stood between Federer and the fourth Australian Open crown. Tsonga and Murray defeated Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the quarters and Federer seized the opportunity with both hands, beating Andy 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 in two hours and 41 minutes for his 16th Grand Slam crown, moving further ahead of Pete Sampras who stayed on 14.

Roger and Andy met for the 11th time and the Swiss scored the fifth win, the third in a row after Cincinnati and the ATP Finals in the second part of 2009. Roger played better on the second serve, fending off six out of eight break points and breaking Andy four times from 12 opportunities to seal the deal in straight sets, repelling a 5-2 deficit and five set points in the third set tie break to lift the trophy.

Both players had more unforced errors than winners although Federer had a better ratio, having the upper hand in the shortest points and also the most extended rallies to emerge as a winner. Murray fought well in the mid-range exchanges but that wasnt enough at least for a set, serving at only 56% and spraying too many errors to stand a chance against such a strong rival.

The first break of serve came in the second game when Roger fired a forehand crosscourt winner before Andy pulled it back in the very next game with a forehand winner to return to the positive side of the scoreboard. The Swiss fends off three break points in the fifth game and he moved in front with another forehand winner at 4-3, forcing an error from Andy in game nine to secure the opener after 43 minutes.

Murray was unable to tame the rivals shots in those moments and Federer broke him at love in the third game of the second set, confirming the lead with a forehand winner in game four and creating a couple of chances a few minutes later as well to extend his advantage.

Andy saved two break points to stay within one break deficit but he had to work even harder at 2-4 when Roger earned four break opportunities. He failed to convert any of those although that wasnt a problem at all, blasting three winners in game ten to clinch the set and move closer to the finish line.

With his back pushed against the wall, Andy started to play better in the third set, producing more damage on the return and stealing Rogers serve in the sixth game with a volley winner for a 4-2. The Briton increased his lead with an ace and he served for the set at 5-3, hoping for another good hold that would have extended the match for him.

Instead of that, he netted a forehand to get broken and they went into a tie break when Federer held at love in game 12, having the momentum on his side after a great escape. Trailing 4-3, Murray found his shots and moved 6-4 up after three winners, although it wasnt to be for him in this match.

He netted an easy forehand at 6-5 and Roger saved three more set points before prevailing 13-11 to celebrate the title and hold three out of four Grand Slams, losing a tight US Open final last September against Juan Martin del Potro.