Event of the Day: Australian Open Men's Final

Our event of the day is the last day of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. In the final of the men’s singles tournament, defending champion and number two seed Roger Federer comes up against 6th seed Marin Čilić. Federer reached the final without losing a single set and is aiming to improve his own record in the number of grand Slam titles won to 20. After the Swiss had beaten Tomáš Berdych in straight sets in the quarter-final, South Korean Chung Hyeon retired in the semi-final when the clash was 6-1, 5-2 in favour of Federer. 

Čilić battled to the fifth set in the quarter-final duel with world number one Rafael Nadal, before the Spaniard had to retire due to a hip injury. In the semi-final, the big-serving Croat convincingly surpassed Kyle Edmund of Great Britain – 6-2, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. If he wins today, Roger Federer will clinch his sixth Melbourne title and equal Novak Đjokovic’s Open era and Roy Emerson’s pre-Open era record. He has won eight out of nine previous meetings with Marin Čilić – the Croat was victorious 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the 2014 semi-final of the US Open, en route to his only Grand Slam trophy so far. The Swiss has been better in their last three clashes, including two Wimbledon matches – 3 sets to 2 in the 2016 quarter-final and in straight sets in last year’s final. It is all set-up for a thrilling conclusion to the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

 

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NFL Pro Bowl game between the best players in the AFC against their counterparts in the NFC. For the second year in a row, the Camping World stadium in Orlando hosts the event. In 2017, the AFC came out on top, 20-13. Australia and England play their fifth and final ODI at the new Optus Stadium in Perth. New Zealand and Pakistan face off in their 3rd T20 at the Bay Oval in Tauranga. It’s Day 4 of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai; and Day 4 of the Farmers Insurance Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. It’s the third and final day of competition at the World Rugby Seven Series tournament at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney. In the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Philadelphia 76ers at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City; while the New Orleans Pelicans face the Los Angeles Clippers at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. In the FA Cup, Chelsea come up against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge in London. In Serie A, AC Milan clash with Lazio at the San Siro in Milan, whilst in Ligue 1, Marseille host Monaco at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. Today is the NHL All-Star game at the Amalie Arena in Tampa.

 

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

 

Fixture

 

Photos by Australian Open