Federer wins second Australian Open
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-30 09:25

EARLY BREAK

An early break in the fourth set gave Federer a 3-0 lead and although Baghdatis held serve to end an 11-game losing streak, his body was showing signs of caving in before his spirit.

The former junior world number one, now ranked 54th in the world, had beaten three top-10 players in Andy Roddick, Ivan Ljubicic and David Nalbandian to reach the final, and he started to cramp up midway through the fourth set.

Baghdatis received treatment to his left calf muscle and although he continued without any obvious pain, Federer comfortably held his remaining service games before breaking once more to close out victory in two hours 46 minutes.

"I'm definitely on a great roll at the moment but don't forget it's been a tough road for me," Federer said.

"I amaze myself every time I do well. I've been so consistent, winning so many slams, it's quite incredible.

"I'll just try to keep it up, stay healthy and keep enjoying it, because that's what I'm doing, and I think that's what makes me play well."

Earlier, former world number one Martina Hingis capped a successful return to grand slam tennis when she joined with Indian doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi to win the mixed doubles title.

Wild card entrants Hingis and Bhupathi beat sixth seeds Daniel Nestor of Canada and Russian Elena Likhovtseva 6-3 6-3.

The Swiss won five grand slam singles titles, including three straight Australian crowns from 1997-99, and nine grand slam doubles crowns before her premature retirement in 2002.

"I just wanted this one badly. My first mixed doubles title, it definitely exceeded my expectations," Hingis said.