The big 1,000: Federer captures Brisbane International final

Roger Federer achieved his 1,000th victory at tour level on Sunday when he beat Canadian Milos Raonic in three tough sets to win the Brisbane International. The 24-year-old won 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 6-4 in two hours and 13 minutes at Pat Rafter Arena. Federer’s glittering career now includes 83 singles titles, with the Swiss maestro having won a tour title every year for a record 15 successive years. The 33-year-old was presented with his Brisbane International trophy by Roy Emerson, as well as a special award for his 1,000th win by Rod Laver.

To get to 1,000 wins in front of you two greats means a lot to me.

Roger Federer

Raonic is one of the biggest servers in the game, but in the final he was outserved by Federer, who sent down 20 aces to Raonic’s 12. Federer had two break points in the fourth game and Raonic two in the fifth, but neither was able to convert. Federer had two more chances to break in Raonic’s next service game, but again the Canadian held on with a succession of booming serves over 220 kilometres an hour. Just when it looked like a second tiebreak would be needed to decide the match, Raonic stumbled and Federer was champion.

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