ITF

Unlike his dramatic journey to the 2017 title, Federer this time entered the final without dropping a set, against Aljaz Bedene, Jan-Lennard Struff, Richard Gasquet, Marton Fucsovics, Tomas Berdych and Korean sensation Hyeon Chung, whose retirement at 6-1 5-2 down with badly blistered feet, barely an hour into their semifinal, left Federer sleepless for hours and churning through excess emotional energy. If his 2018 title run was less physically arduous, the mental strain and expectation as defending champion made for a very different torture test. "I was so bloody nervous all day; it was eating me up inside," Federer admitted. "All day I was thinking: 'How would I feel if I won it? How would I feel if I lost it?' I've had these moments in the past but maybe never as extreme as tonight. Getting to 20 is obviously very, very special." As Rod Laver, from his front-row seat, snapped Federer awash in teary triumph, we were all left to marvel anew at the 36-year-old's ability to distance himself from all rivals. Not least in physical durability. No. 1 Nadal was undone by a torn hip muscle as much as the 83 winners fired by Cilic in his 3-6 6-3 6-7(5) 6-2 2-0 quarterfinal retirement. Andy Murray underwent hip surgery in Melbourne a week before the event. Kei Nishikori extended his injury absence. Novak Djokovic, clearly hindered by elbow pain in his stunning fourth- round loss to Chung, had a "procedure" on his return to Europe. Milos Raonic exited first round, while Stan 2017 runner-up Rafael Nadal retired with a hip injury "I went for my shots... Didn't make them" M A R I N C I L I C "It's fine. I cried but now I'm smiling" S I M O N A H A L E P S E N I O R S G R A N D S L A M S Marin Cilic extended Federer to five sets in the final 32 ITFWorld // SPRING 2018

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