Federer sees off Gonzalez to win Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Jan 28 (Reuters) Top seed and defending champion Roger Federer beat Chile's Fernando Gonzalez 7-6 6-4 6-4 in the Australian Open final today.

The Swiss world number one clinched his 10th grand slam title after two hours and 20 minutes on Rod Laver Arena, celebrating his third win at Melbourne Park by collapsing to the floor in joy after a crunching backhand winner sealed victory.

A tight first set proved crucial with Gonzalez making the first break to lead 5-4, but the 10th seed could not convert two set points before Federer levelled and took the tiebreak 7-2.

Federer's breaks in game seven of the second and third sets were enough for him to become the first man to retain the title since Andre Agassi in 2001 and the first man to win a grand slam without losing a set since Bjorn Borg at Roland Garros in 1980.

REUTERS SAM BD1653