After 21 consecutive years in the Australian Open main draw, Roger Federer will miss the season-opening Major in February, deciding not to travel to Australia and planning to return in March.
Roger has not played since last year’s Australian Open, struggled with a knee injury and underwent two surgeries in February and May. On this day, 12 months ago, Federer secured a major major milestone, becoming the first player to have at least 100 wins in two different major events.
After Wimbledon, Federer added the Australian Open to that impressive collection following a thrilling 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 third-round victory over John Millman in over four hours.
Roger was on the brink of defeat in the deciding tiebreaker of the match, losing 8-4 before scoring six straight points to emerge on top. Federer gained three more points and scored three breaks, lost serve four times but found a way to celebrate a victory.
Millman got off to a good start and took two breaks in the first set for 6-4. The Swiss lost just five points on serve in set number two, increasing the pressure on the other side and taking the tie break 7-2 to level the overall score.
Continuing in the same style, Federer won the third set with a break in the 10th game and was one set from the finish line.
Roger Federer scored 100th Australian Open win
Millman served well in the fourth set and stole serve from Roger at 3-3 that took him over the top and set up a decider.
They traded breaks in games three and four and stood shoulder to shoulder after a pair of deuces on Millman’s serve in game 12 for a decisive tiebreaker. The locals opened a 3-0 lead after some loose shots from the Swiss, who won the next two points to keep in touch.
Millman moved 5-2 up front with a pair of good serves, with Roger’s response on the next two points. A beautiful volley winner pushed Millman 6-4 to the front, landing a forehand on the line to take a big step toward the finish line.
A cross forehand winner delivered another mini-break for the Australian, who ultimately lost a point on serve to keep Federer within a 6-8 deficit. Using his vast experience, Roger won another mini-break and earned the next point to advance 9-8, creating the first match point.
He turned him into a right wing winner to seal the deal and carve out one of his most exciting victories in Melbourne and celebrate the 100th in Australia.
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