By Martin Parry
Melbourne, Australia - Roger Federer is undoubtedly the best player of his generation and looks set for more years at the top after winning his seventh Grand Slam title here on Sunday.
His 5-7, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2 Australian Open victory over Marcos Baghdatis makes him the first player to win three successive Grand Slam tournaments since Pete Sampras won at Wimbledon and the US Open in 1993 and the Australian Open in 1994.
Of the seven Grand Slam finals he has reached, the Swiss champion has won them all.
At 24, he is now set on a Tiger Woods-like pursuit of the ultimate goal in his chosen sport. For Woods it is the 18 major titles of Jack Nicklaus. He currently stands on 10.
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For Federer it is the 14 Grand Slam titles of Sampras. The man from Basel now has seven.
His idol Rod Laver, considered perhaps the greatest tennis player ever, who won 11 Grand Slams, says Federer was like no one else he'd seen, and would bet on him hauling in Sampras.
"He's got so much talent. There's a lot of ingredients that go into being a tennis player: the temperament to start with, the stroke production," said Laver, who presented Federer with the trophy Sunday.
"Court positioning and anticipation, I think, is something that he seems capable of doing a lot more than other players.
"As soon as they make a mistake he sits on top of them and he's got a wide open court because he's not back very far and doesn't allow a player to get back into play.
"I think just his court coverage, is quite unusual, uncanny. He doesn't seem to be out of position. (And) if his backhand is in good shape, I think he just seems to roll."
After an outstanding junior career, Federer first showed his abilities on the big stage in 2001 when he defeated title-holder Sampras in the fourth round at Wimbledon.
But he stalled briefly, losing a number of ATP Tour finals in 2002 when he was also staggered by the death in a car accident of his first coach Peter Carter.
He hit rock bottom by his own admission with a first round defeat to Luis Horna in the 2003 French Open, but that was just the kick up the backside he needed.
One month later he took Wimbledon by storm defeating Mark Philippoussis in straight sets in the final for his first Grand Slam title.
Federer then captured the season-ending Masters Cup defeating Andre Agassi (twice), Andy Roddick, Juan Carlos Ferrero and David Nalbandian, all players who had given him trouble previously.
That was the launching pad for one of the greatest years in the history of tennis. He won 11 ATP titles in 2004 including Wimbledon again and the US and Australian Opens as well as defending the Masters Cup.
Last year, despite losing in the semi-finals at the Australian and French Opens, Federer continued his domination, compiling an overall match record of 81-4, with another 11 titles.
He defended Wimbledon when his performance in the final against Roddick was rated one of the finest ever at the All-England club and became the first man to win both that tournament and the US Open in consecutive years since Don Budge in 1938.
He has now drawn level with John McEnroe, John Newcombe, Mats Wilander and Rene Lacoste in the all-time list of Grand Slam winners, surpassing Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg.
Next up for Federer are Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Fred Perry and Ken Rosewall, who all have eight.
Laver, the only player to win the Grand Slam of the four majors twice, in 1962 and 1969, believes Federer still has plenty more majors in him.
"Certainly amazing how well he plays in the finals. I wouldn't bet against him," he said.
The Australian Open was his second successive title this year after winning in Doha and the 35th of his career. - Sapa-AFP
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