Roger Federer defeated Milos Raonic in the Brisbane
International final to bring up his 1,000th career victory.
The 17-time major winner secured his 83rd title after
taking advantage of Raonic's first double fault to seal a
6-4 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 win in Australia.
Federer seized on some nervy serving from Raonic to
secure a break in the first set and appeared to be cruising
to victory when he broke again in the opening game of the
second.
But the Canadian refused to be brushed aside and broke
back in the fourth game before dominating the tie-breaker,
winning the last seven points to level the match at 1-1.
The two men could not be separated in the tense decider
until Raonic's double fault brought up Championship point
and he then netted a forehand to end the two hour, 13-
minute match.
Ball-boys held up the number 1,000 in white letters near
the net during the presentation ceremony as Federer
collected the trophy and a montage of images to mark the
landmark.
"It's a special moment, no doubt about that," said
Federer. "I've played a lot of tennis over the years, so to
get to 1,000 wins means a lot to me and I will never forget
this match.
"It feels very different to any other match I've ever won,
because I never thought about anything reaching 500 or
800.
"All those numbers didn't mean anything to me, but for
some reason 1,000 means a lot because it's such a huge
number. Just alone to count to 1,000 is going to take a
while."
Reflecting on the hard-fought final, he said: "Looking
back, it's almost nicer winning this way through a tight
match with nerves and humid conditions against a great
player in a final.
"It means so much more than just running away with it,
with the score maybe winning 6-4, 6-4, which was looking
very likely at one stage.
"I guess I was much more happy having to go three sets in
the end rather than winning in straight sets."
Only retired greats Jimmy Connors (1,253) and Ivan Lendl
(1,071) have won more than 1,000 matches on the men's
tour - while it is also the 15th consecutive year that
Federer has won an ATP tour title, breaking Lendl's record
of 14.
Courtesy: sky sports
Broadcast by Obele Calistus
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