Re-living Federer's 6 title triumphs at the Australian Open

#4 2010: Beats Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(11)

Federer lifts his 4th Australian Open title in 2010

After losing a heartbreaking five-set final to Rafael Nadal in 2009 which reduced Federer to tears at the post match presentation, there would only be tears of the happier hue for the Swiss maestro a year later.

Federer dropped a set apiece against Igor Andreev in the first round and Nikolay Davydenko in the quarterfinals before beating Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the loss of just seven games in the semis to reach his 5th title match at the Australian Open.

In the final against Andy Murray, Federer broke for an early 2-0 lead in the opener before the Scot got back on serve. Federer then pounced on Murray's low first serve percentage to break for a 5-3 lead, and promptly served out a one-set advantage.

Murray struggled to contain the brilliant shot-making from Federer in the second and narrowly avoided falling behind a double break before the Swiss maestro took a commanding two-set lead.

Murray broke for a 4-2 lead in the third but remained hesitant to come to the net or mix up his play, especially on the big points, as the Swiss maestro broke back. Federer saw two championship points in the third set tiebreak come and go but Murray himself was profligate on four set points, one of which was a routine backhand down the line which the Scot netted.

An emotional Murray said at the trophy presentation: "I can cry like Roger, it's a shame I can't play like him." Indeed, very few players can hang around with Federer when the Swiss maestro is at his imperious best. But on the day, Federer's brilliance was also due in some part to Murray's tactical inflexibility and the Scot's reluctance to throw caution to the wind.

With his 4th Australian Open title, Federer drew level with Andre Agassi for most titles at the tournament in the Open Era. He also opened up a 10-Slam gap over his closest active challenger Nadal (6) atop the all-time Grand Slam title leaderboard.

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