Sports Sunday Thread #1 For 1/31/10: And It Continues (2010 Australian Open Men's Final Review)

Last year, Roger Federer was on the end crying in despair for whole world to see. Today, he was the reason why Andy Murray shed tears of pain.

Just like his 360 degree reversal between Wimbledon 2008 and 2009, Federer turned around his 12 month disheartening misfortunate in Melbourne into satisfying redemption by defeating Murray 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (13-11) to capture his 4th Australian Open and record 16th Grand Slam title.

And in the process, he passed the bug of sullen anguish toward the Scot, denied a second time by the legendary Swiss at ending Grand Slam anguish for himself and for Great Britain.

"I can cry as well as Roger, shame I can't play as well as Roger" uttered the dejected Scot in full lachrymose mode in the post-match speeches. And that inability to play as well as Roger was thanks to a serve that was lacking and an inability to be effectively aggressive when he had to be nothing short of that.

Murray waited too late to crush his backhand and forehand, and couldn't come through in the big moments of his last chance at an improbable comeback, the third set. It truly did seem like the pressure of the moment got to Murray, and it isn't surprising considering the stressful burden of trying to win that elusive major against arguably the greatest player of all time. Murray obviously had way more to prove here, but he didn't seem to embrace the responsibility of that position like Juan Martin del Potro did at the US Open against Federer.

Just like Serena Williams, Roger Federer has the ability to close like no other of his generation. And if he is allowed to sense the finish line, he will devour it every single time. Considering he was facing the most feared returner in the game, Federer's serve was impeccable today, as it unsurprisingly turned to be a reason why he got sweet #16 instead of Murray getting the still elusive #1.

And just like with Serena having to see Kim Clijsters and even Maria Sharapova receive top billing to win the title, Federer was thought to be behind Murray or Nikolay Davydenko as the last one standing after the fortnight. By beating those guys (snapping Davydenko two match win streak against him while winning his third straight against Murray), the joy of winning this title after being an emotional wreck to Rafael Nadal last year furthers the sweetness of today's win (while adding to the further misery of Murray and his ardent supporters).

People thought the demise of Federer was set in stone after the Wimbledon 2008 final. That turned out to be absurdly premature. People though the demise of Federer was set in stone after last year's final there in Melbourne. Emphatically wrong.

So who will be the next one to pronounce Federer's demise again? Andy Murray will certainly label you a "fool" if you chose to do so.