Over a period of 15 months, between Wimbledon 2019 and Roland Garros 2020, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have achieved one of the most incredible records of a Major. Two legends became the first tennis players with 100 wins in the same Major.
The Swiss made it first at Wimbledon 2019 and repeated the feat at the 2020 Australian Open after a thrilling victory over John Millman in the third round. Federer is therefore the only player with one hundred in two majors.
In his 21st Australian Open, the Swiss had to go to great lengths to achieve this historic victory, beating the local star 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 4-6 and 7-6 after four hours and three minutes of Epic battle.
John defeated Roger at the 2018 US Open and gave his 200% in front of home fans at the Rod Laver Arena. He bet everything for Federer and lost a colossal chance in the match tie break, where he was leading 8-4.
Federer took his 100th victory at the 2020 Australian Open.
Federer won three more points and scored three breaks, losing his serve four times but finding a way to emerge in the lead.
Millman got off to a great start and got two breaks in the first set 6-4. The Swiss lost just five points after the opening shot in the second set to increase the pressure on the other side and took the 7-2 tiebreak to equalize the overall score.
Continuing in the same style, Federer won the third set with a break in the tenth game and approached the finish line. John served well in the fourth set and stole Roger’s serve at 3-3 to carve the lead and enter a decisive decision.
The rivals swapped breaks in matches three and four and remained even after a couple of twos on Millman’s serve in Game 12 for a decisive match tiebreak. The home player opened 3-0 after a few free throws from the Swiss, who took the next two points to stay in touch.
Millman took a 5-2 lead with a couple of good serves and Federer responded on the next two points. A fine volley put Millman in a 6-4 lead before landing a straight winner down the line to take a big step towards the finish line.
A straight winner at the crosscourt brought another mini break for the Aussie, who ultimately lost a serve point keeping Federer down 8-6. Using his wealth of experience, Roger scored another mini-break and won the next point to move up 9-8 and create his first match point.
He converted it with a winner by right to seal the deal, forge one of his most exciting victories in Melbourne and celebrate his 100th victory in Australia.
