Federer: "I'm so happy. It's unbelievable..." He added: Winning is just an absolute dream come true. The fairytale continues... After the year I had last year.. it's incredible (trails off emotionally)."
STAT: Federer will be just 155 points behind injured world No.1 Rafael Nadal on Monday morning. The Swiss Maestro looks certain to top the rankings at some point in the weeks ahead.
Cilic: "Big congratulations to Roger and his team. It's amazing what you guys do year after year." He added: "I had a slight chance at the beginning of the fifth, but really Roger played a great fifth set."
The magic moment for Federer.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 6-1 CILIC. He's done it! Roger Federer wins a 20th Grand Slam title with a rollercoaster five-set victory over Marin Cilic. The Swiss serves it out to love after three hours and three minutes to retain the trophy and earn a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title. The Maestro joins an elite group of players to have won 20+ major singles titles and is the only man alongside Margaret Court, Steffi Graf and Serena Williams. For Cilic, it's a second Grand Slam final defeat to Federer in just six months - but this one was much more competitive. The Croat took a while to get going, but made a real fight of it after the opening set. He will lament a disappointing evening, which was made tougher by the officials' decision to play the contest under the roof. That favoured Federer, but Cilic will look back on a positive fortnight that will see him start next week as the world No.3.
BREAK! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 5-1 CILIC. The backhand lets down Cilic once more - and it's going to be decisive. The first is a bad miss down the line, while the second is unlucky with an attempted crosscourt winner. It provides Federer with two BPs. The Swiss just needs one as Cilic can't get low enough to aim his forehand over the net. Federer has a double break and will now serve for the championship.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 4-1 CILIC. The crowd are loving angry Fed. He's focusing it in the right way though. Marin has no look-in as the No.2 seed marauds to a love hold in just 66 seconds.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 3-1 CILIC. Marin's still in it. He blitzes his way to a love hold to get on the board.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 3-0 CILIC. Marin doesn't dwell on what might have been. He guides a lovely winner down the line after making up good ground to the net. He gets to deuce, but can't apply the pressure required. Federer consolidates and that scoreboard will look pretty good to the Swiss right now.
BREAK! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 2-0 CILIC. The pendulum swings the way of Federer once more in this topsy-turvy encounter! The Swiss survives the barrage of big serves and huge forehands to make deuce. Cilic then fires down a big second serve that Federer says is out. HIs challenge is good and earns him a BP. Marin then fails to move his feet quick enough and can only fire an awkward shot into the net. The advantage and momentum is back with Fed!
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 1-0 CILIC. Marin is throwing everything at Federer. The Swiss' defence is working overtime. He's barely been troubled in the past two weeks, but he's having to dig deep to halt the Croat's charge. Cilic will feel he should have broken, but can't convert two break point opportunities and a ridiculously angled backhand helps Fed sneak over the line. That could well be hugely significant in the outcome of this one.
Video - Federer's sublime drop shot gives Cilic no chance
00:35
SET! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 CILIC. Into a decider we go! What a turnaround! Cilic looked dead and buried in the early stages of this set and was on the verge of going a double break down, but he somehow found a purple patch to blow the Swiss apart. All square with Federer needing to find focus and rhythm fast to keep his dream of a 20th Slam alive.
BREAK! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-5 CILIC. If at first you don't succeed... Cilic breaks! It's third time lucky for the Croat as he whistles a crosscourt forehand winner way beyond his opponent's reach to come through a superb game from both players. Federer had saved two BPs, but the No.6 seed kept plugging away and corked another brilliant forehand in the rally of the match as he dug deep to earn himself a chance to serve for the set.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-4 CILIC. Marin's backhand has wobbled all night - and it almost costs him dearly here. Federer edges to a break point, but can't convert as Cilic's reliable forehand and serve kick-in to see him get his nose in front on the board.
BREAK! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-3 CILIC. Halt that countdown! We have a rather interesting plot twist! Cilic goes after a really lacklustre service game from the world No.2 and surges through to break to love.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-2 CILIC. Marin stays in touch with a hold to 15. Federer fans counting down the games now. He's three away from Slam No.20.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-1 CILIC. Marin watches a Federer dropshot land in and walks away in dismay. The Swiss has missed those all night, but finally comes up trumps to clinch a routine hold. Cilic is probably thinking that if that's coming off too, he may as well get his coat.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 2-1 CILIC. That's some commendable battling from Cilic. The trophy engraver was ready to rock at 30-40, but the Croat unleashed a bull-dozer of a forehand to make deuce and come through and get on the board. The momentum is still very much with Federer, but a double break would have almost certainly been match over.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 2-0 CILIC. Federer easily consolidates to 15. He's gone in for the kill in the past few games and if he maintains this course he'll soon be lifting a sixth Australian Open title.
BREAK! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 1-0 CILIC. Oh dear. The Cilic from Set 1 seems to have returned to court. Federer turns the screw and the Croat dumps an angled dropshot into the net to hand the Swiss an immediate break at the start of Set 4. Hard to see a way back for the No.6 seed from here.
SET! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 CILIC. The world No.2 takes a big step towards the title as he moves 2-1 in front with a rampant love hold to serve out Set 3. Can Cilic respond once more, or have Federer airways lit the seatbelts on signs as he prepares to land Slam No.20?
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 5-3 CILIC. A couple of wild forehands wide from Federer help Cilic through to a love hold. Those type of errors are a rare sight from the Swiss, but Marin won't care. He needs a big game now though - Federer is serving for the set.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 5-2 CILIC. A wonderfully improvised forehand on the back foot, an ace down the middle T and a cheeky jump to let Cilic's long return fly between his legs see Federer consolidate to 30. The Swiss is back on track.
BREAK! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 4-2 CILIC. And there it is! Federer raises the bar and gets his reward. The Swiss works his way to three break points and makes it count on the second when Marin hits a loose forehand wide. Fed lets out a huge roar of 'Come on!' which is no doubt indicative of how tight this match has become.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 3-2 CILIC. Still with serve as Federer edges through with a game to 30. He's still firing down the big guns, but when he doesn't Cilic is making some inroads. It's intriguingly poised, but we've been here many times before with Fed, who often has an innate ability to seize the moment when it presents itself. Whether Cilic can make this one of those rare occasions when it doesn't quite click for the Swiss remains to be seen.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 2-2 CILIC. A 10th ace and an error off the Fed backhand sees Cilic ease to a game to 15. This has turned into a highly competitive affair. Cilic is very much in with a shot of the title now - but he'll have to take his chance when it comes.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 2-1 CILIC. Roger unloads a 16th ace of the match, but still finds it hard work to close out the game. Cilic goes toe-to-toe with the Swiss in a delightful rally at 30-30, but then slaps an angled backhand into the net. The break point opportunity vanishes and Fed finishes with aplomb.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 1-1 CILIC. Lovely work from Chila. He eases back from 15-30 down to reel off three points in a row, including a smooth winner up the line to neutralise a FedEx blast off the backhand.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 1-0 CILIC. As you'd expect, Federer responds with a mix of anger and real focus. He marauds to a hold to 15 to get Set 3 up and running.
SET! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 CILIC. Match... ON! Cilic levels after coming through a tight tie break 7-5. The Croat crunches a scorching forehand winner to edge 6-4 in front at a crucial moment. Federer saves one set point on serve, but can't deny the No.6 seed on the second as a super overhead smash seals the set.
TB LATEST: All square at 3-3 in the tie break as Marin bites back just before the change of ends with a rasping return winner.
FEDERER 6-2 6-6 CILIC. No wobble this time. Federer powers to a love hold with the minimum of fuss. Into the tie break we go...
FEDERER 6-2 5-6 CILIC. Super serving from Cilic. He guarantees himself the minimum of a tie break with a thumping love hold. Pressure back on Federer to stay cool and take us to the breaker.
FEDERER 6-2 5-5 CILIC. Federer surprisingly tightens up and throws in two double faults to offer Marin set point. The No.6 seed gets a look at a second serve but then shanks a crosscourt backhand attempt into the net. It's a big miss as Federer sweeps through the from deuce to deny the Croat a way back into this match.
FEDERER 6-2 4-5 CILIC. Federer tries to apply the pressure at the business-end, but Cilic is a different proposition now. The Swiss corks a sublime backhand winner up the line to snare break point, but Cilic bravely kicks a second serve ace down the middle T to save it. The Croat tries to keep the points short to snuff out the danger and gets the job done from deuce. Federer serving to stay in the set now.
FEDERER 6-2 4-4 CILIC. Mr Federer's first double fault in the match causes Mrs Federer to frown in the crowd. He shrugs it off and lashes down another ace fro 40-30 before outlasting the Croat in a bruising, high-class rally to conclude.
FEDERER 6-2 3-4 CILIC. The No.6 seed unloads the big serves and aces to keep his nose in front.
FEDERER 6-2 3-3 CILIC. Ice cool. That first serve is finding its mark to devastating effect. The Swiss timing is spot on as the world No.2 saunters to the love hold.
FEDERER 6-2 2-3 CILIC. Marin finds the big serve when it matters, hitting back from 15-30 and 30-40 down to edge ahead from deuce. Federer has realised he is now in a match, but isn't the type of player who needs head starts...
FEDERER 6-2 2-2 CILIC. The Swiss Maestro really does make everything look so easy at times. He cruises through another exhibition of exquisite serving to quickly square it.
Video - Stunning backhand return sets tone as Federer dominates
00:23
FEDERER 6-2 1-2 CILIC. Marin pulls off a big hold. How significant it is remains to seen, but it won't do his confidence any harm. The No.6 seed lets a 40-15 lead slip away and then has to fend off break point. He has plenty of opportunities but is pressed to a fifth deuce before finally coming through to maintain the scoreboard advantage early in this set.
The organisers have felt the need to respond to criticism about the closed roof...
FEDERER 6-2 1-1 CILIC. A wonderful backhand winner down the line earns Cilic two break points. Federer responds with a crunching serve and a sizzling forehand winner. He fires himself up with a roar of 'come on!' and rattles through the next two points to move level from deuce. That was much more like it from Cilic, who should take positives from it even if he didn't get his reward on this occasion.
FEDERER 6-2 0-1 CILIC. Where was that 26 minutes ago? Cilic gets Set 2 off to a much better start with a confident hold to 15. A real contrast, but just what this final needs if it's to be a decent spectacle and not just a procession towards another Federer coronation.
SET! - FEDERER 6-2 CILIC. Federer plants down a pair of aces as he seals the game to 15 and the set in just 24 minutes. The Swiss roared out of traps and Cilic was helpless for much of it. Can he get a foothold in this from here? There were a few small signs he has settled in the past couple of games.
FEDERER 5-2 CILIC. Marin responds with his best service game so far. It's a love hold and means more in terms of being more competitive in set 2 than providing hope he can salvage this one. Federer to serve for it, next.
PHOTO: Federer has since wiped that smile right off Marin's face.
FEDERER 5-1 CILIC. Federer makes quick work of another service game. It's a love hold once again. He's one away from taking a very, very one-sided opening set.
FEDERER 4-1 CILIC. Cheers of encouragement from the crowd. Fair to say most want Federer to win, but they also want to see a competitive match. Cilic finally gets on the board with a much more convincing service game to 30. He'll feel slightly better now, but will no doubt look back on this shocking start with real disappointment in the days ahead.
FEDERER 4-0 CILIC. Too good. Federer effortlessly moves 40-0 up. A big forehand winner offers brief resistance, but another error into the net from the Croatian sees the world No.2 back up the double break. Marin looks like a rabbit in the headlines right now.
BREAK! - FEDERER 3-0 CILIC. This is a first-set nightmare right now for Chila. He looks anxious and a shadow of the player who has been so solid throughout this fortnight. Federer takes advantage to tee up triple break point and doesn't have to do much as Cilic angles a backhand wide to give the Swiss another gift that will surely mean he goes a set down in the not-too-distant future.
FEDERER 2-0 CILIC. Is it too early to suggest this is ominous? Federer rampages to a love hold to consolidate in style. He's making a real statement of intent early on.
BREAK! - FEDERER 1-0 CILIC. Marin is going to need the big serve to fire on all cylinders today and this was a very shaky start. A dismissive backhand return winner conjures up an immediate break point for Federer, who thinks he's done it when a Cilic drive to the baseline is called long. Marin wins a reprieve with a successful challenge, but then slaps a tricky overhead into the net. Federer is in the driving seat.
08.34
Cilic won the toss and is now ready to serve first.
The coach analyses Cilic's best bet for upsetting Federer and lifting his second Slam title.
Cilic: "It's a big motivation for me to play the final and obviously to win. I'm feeling really good with my game, so hopefully I can have a great match and also great energy on the court."
FED FIRST? A victory would move Federer to within 155 points of world No.1 Rafael Nadal. Meanwhile, Cilic will be the No.3 come Monday regardless of the result, but could romp 1130 points clear of Grigor Dimitrov in fourth if he lifts the trophy.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: This is their 10th meeting. Federer has been dominant in the match-up with no fewer than eight wins. Cilic's solitary success came in a straight sets semi-final demolition of the Swiss Maestro en route to that US Open title four years ago. The players also met in last year's Wimbledon final when a visibly struggling Cilic went down 6-3 6-1 6-4.
SLAM STATS: Federer is targeting a record 20th major title. Cilic is aiming to lift his second after winning the 2014 US Open final.
Hello and welcome to LIVE updates of the 2018 Australian Open men's final. It's world No.2 and five-time champion down under, Roger Federer against Croatia's No.6 seed, Marin Cilic. I'm @paul_hassall and I'll be taking you through the game-by-game coverage. The players are due on court in Rod Laver Arena shortly.
Federer: "I'm so happy. It's unbelievable..." He added: Winning is just an absolute dream come true. The fairytale continues... After the year I had last year.. it's incredible (trails off emotionally)."
STAT: Federer will be just 155 points behind injured world No.1 Rafael Nadal on Monday morning. The Swiss Maestro looks certain to top the rankings at some point in the weeks ahead.
Cilic: "Big congratulations to Roger and his team. It's amazing what you guys do year after year." He added: "I had a slight chance at the beginning of the fifth, but really Roger played a great fifth set."
The magic moment for Federer.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 6-1 CILIC. He's done it! Roger Federer wins a 20th Grand Slam title with a rollercoaster five-set victory over Marin Cilic. The Swiss serves it out to love after three hours and three minutes to retain the trophy and earn a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title. The Maestro joins an elite group of players to have won 20+ major singles titles and is the only man alongside Margaret Court, Steffi Graf and Serena Williams. For Cilic, it's a second Grand Slam final defeat to Federer in just six months - but this one was much more competitive. The Croat took a while to get going, but made a real fight of it after the opening set. He will lament a disappointing evening, which was made tougher by the officials' decision to play the contest under the roof. That favoured Federer, but Cilic will look back on a positive fortnight that will see him start next week as the world No.3.
BREAK! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 5-1 CILIC. The backhand lets down Cilic once more - and it's going to be decisive. The first is a bad miss down the line, while the second is unlucky with an attempted crosscourt winner. It provides Federer with two BPs. The Swiss just needs one as Cilic can't get low enough to aim his forehand over the net. Federer has a double break and will now serve for the championship.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 4-1 CILIC. The crowd are loving angry Fed. He's focusing it in the right way though. Marin has no look-in as the No.2 seed marauds to a love hold in just 66 seconds.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 3-1 CILIC. Marin's still in it. He blitzes his way to a love hold to get on the board.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 3-0 CILIC. Marin doesn't dwell on what might have been. He guides a lovely winner down the line after making up good ground to the net. He gets to deuce, but can't apply the pressure required. Federer consolidates and that scoreboard will look pretty good to the Swiss right now.
BREAK! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 2-0 CILIC. The pendulum swings the way of Federer once more in this topsy-turvy encounter! The Swiss survives the barrage of big serves and huge forehands to make deuce. Cilic then fires down a big second serve that Federer says is out. HIs challenge is good and earns him a BP. Marin then fails to move his feet quick enough and can only fire an awkward shot into the net. The advantage and momentum is back with Fed!
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 1-0 CILIC. Marin is throwing everything at Federer. The Swiss' defence is working overtime. He's barely been troubled in the past two weeks, but he's having to dig deep to halt the Croat's charge. Cilic will feel he should have broken, but can't convert two break point opportunities and a ridiculously angled backhand helps Fed sneak over the line. That could well be hugely significant in the outcome of this one.
Video - Federer's sublime drop shot gives Cilic no chance
SET! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-6 CILIC. Into a decider we go! What a turnaround! Cilic looked dead and buried in the early stages of this set and was on the verge of going a double break down, but he somehow found a purple patch to blow the Swiss apart. All square with Federer needing to find focus and rhythm fast to keep his dream of a 20th Slam alive.
BREAK! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-5 CILIC. If at first you don't succeed... Cilic breaks! It's third time lucky for the Croat as he whistles a crosscourt forehand winner way beyond his opponent's reach to come through a superb game from both players. Federer had saved two BPs, but the No.6 seed kept plugging away and corked another brilliant forehand in the rally of the match as he dug deep to earn himself a chance to serve for the set.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-4 CILIC. Marin's backhand has wobbled all night - and it almost costs him dearly here. Federer edges to a break point, but can't convert as Cilic's reliable forehand and serve kick-in to see him get his nose in front on the board.
BREAK! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-3 CILIC. Halt that countdown! We have a rather interesting plot twist! Cilic goes after a really lacklustre service game from the world No.2 and surges through to break to love.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-2 CILIC. Marin stays in touch with a hold to 15. Federer fans counting down the games now. He's three away from Slam No.20.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 3-1 CILIC. Marin watches a Federer dropshot land in and walks away in dismay. The Swiss has missed those all night, but finally comes up trumps to clinch a routine hold. Cilic is probably thinking that if that's coming off too, he may as well get his coat.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 2-1 CILIC. That's some commendable battling from Cilic. The trophy engraver was ready to rock at 30-40, but the Croat unleashed a bull-dozer of a forehand to make deuce and come through and get on the board. The momentum is still very much with Federer, but a double break would have almost certainly been match over.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 2-0 CILIC. Federer easily consolidates to 15. He's gone in for the kill in the past few games and if he maintains this course he'll soon be lifting a sixth Australian Open title.
BREAK! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 1-0 CILIC. Oh dear. The Cilic from Set 1 seems to have returned to court. Federer turns the screw and the Croat dumps an angled dropshot into the net to hand the Swiss an immediate break at the start of Set 4. Hard to see a way back for the No.6 seed from here.
SET! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 6-3 CILIC. The world No.2 takes a big step towards the title as he moves 2-1 in front with a rampant love hold to serve out Set 3. Can Cilic respond once more, or have Federer airways lit the seatbelts on signs as he prepares to land Slam No.20?
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 5-3 CILIC. A couple of wild forehands wide from Federer help Cilic through to a love hold. Those type of errors are a rare sight from the Swiss, but Marin won't care. He needs a big game now though - Federer is serving for the set.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 5-2 CILIC. A wonderfully improvised forehand on the back foot, an ace down the middle T and a cheeky jump to let Cilic's long return fly between his legs see Federer consolidate to 30. The Swiss is back on track.
BREAK! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 4-2 CILIC. And there it is! Federer raises the bar and gets his reward. The Swiss works his way to three break points and makes it count on the second when Marin hits a loose forehand wide. Fed lets out a huge roar of 'Come on!' which is no doubt indicative of how tight this match has become.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 3-2 CILIC. Still with serve as Federer edges through with a game to 30. He's still firing down the big guns, but when he doesn't Cilic is making some inroads. It's intriguingly poised, but we've been here many times before with Fed, who often has an innate ability to seize the moment when it presents itself. Whether Cilic can make this one of those rare occasions when it doesn't quite click for the Swiss remains to be seen.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 2-2 CILIC. A 10th ace and an error off the Fed backhand sees Cilic ease to a game to 15. This has turned into a highly competitive affair. Cilic is very much in with a shot of the title now - but he'll have to take his chance when it comes.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 2-1 CILIC. Roger unloads a 16th ace of the match, but still finds it hard work to close out the game. Cilic goes toe-to-toe with the Swiss in a delightful rally at 30-30, but then slaps an angled backhand into the net. The break point opportunity vanishes and Fed finishes with aplomb.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 1-1 CILIC. Lovely work from Chila. He eases back from 15-30 down to reel off three points in a row, including a smooth winner up the line to neutralise a FedEx blast off the backhand.
FEDERER 6-2 6-7 1-0 CILIC. As you'd expect, Federer responds with a mix of anger and real focus. He marauds to a hold to 15 to get Set 3 up and running.
SET! - FEDERER 6-2 6-7 CILIC. Match... ON! Cilic levels after coming through a tight tie break 7-5. The Croat crunches a scorching forehand winner to edge 6-4 in front at a crucial moment. Federer saves one set point on serve, but can't deny the No.6 seed on the second as a super overhead smash seals the set.
TB LATEST: All square at 3-3 in the tie break as Marin bites back just before the change of ends with a rasping return winner.
FEDERER 6-2 6-6 CILIC. No wobble this time. Federer powers to a love hold with the minimum of fuss. Into the tie break we go...
FEDERER 6-2 5-6 CILIC. Super serving from Cilic. He guarantees himself the minimum of a tie break with a thumping love hold. Pressure back on Federer to stay cool and take us to the breaker.
FEDERER 6-2 5-5 CILIC. Federer surprisingly tightens up and throws in two double faults to offer Marin set point. The No.6 seed gets a look at a second serve but then shanks a crosscourt backhand attempt into the net. It's a big miss as Federer sweeps through the from deuce to deny the Croat a way back into this match.
FEDERER 6-2 4-5 CILIC. Federer tries to apply the pressure at the business-end, but Cilic is a different proposition now. The Swiss corks a sublime backhand winner up the line to snare break point, but Cilic bravely kicks a second serve ace down the middle T to save it. The Croat tries to keep the points short to snuff out the danger and gets the job done from deuce. Federer serving to stay in the set now.
FEDERER 6-2 4-4 CILIC. Mr Federer's first double fault in the match causes Mrs Federer to frown in the crowd. He shrugs it off and lashes down another ace fro 40-30 before outlasting the Croat in a bruising, high-class rally to conclude.
FEDERER 6-2 3-4 CILIC. The No.6 seed unloads the big serves and aces to keep his nose in front.
FEDERER 6-2 3-3 CILIC. Ice cool. That first serve is finding its mark to devastating effect. The Swiss timing is spot on as the world No.2 saunters to the love hold.
FEDERER 6-2 2-3 CILIC. Marin finds the big serve when it matters, hitting back from 15-30 and 30-40 down to edge ahead from deuce. Federer has realised he is now in a match, but isn't the type of player who needs head starts...
FEDERER 6-2 2-2 CILIC. The Swiss Maestro really does make everything look so easy at times. He cruises through another exhibition of exquisite serving to quickly square it.
Video - Stunning backhand return sets tone as Federer dominates
FEDERER 6-2 1-2 CILIC. Marin pulls off a big hold. How significant it is remains to seen, but it won't do his confidence any harm. The No.6 seed lets a 40-15 lead slip away and then has to fend off break point. He has plenty of opportunities but is pressed to a fifth deuce before finally coming through to maintain the scoreboard advantage early in this set.
The organisers have felt the need to respond to criticism about the closed roof...
FEDERER 6-2 1-1 CILIC. A wonderful backhand winner down the line earns Cilic two break points. Federer responds with a crunching serve and a sizzling forehand winner. He fires himself up with a roar of 'come on!' and rattles through the next two points to move level from deuce. That was much more like it from Cilic, who should take positives from it even if he didn't get his reward on this occasion.
FEDERER 6-2 0-1 CILIC. Where was that 26 minutes ago? Cilic gets Set 2 off to a much better start with a confident hold to 15. A real contrast, but just what this final needs if it's to be a decent spectacle and not just a procession towards another Federer coronation.
SET! - FEDERER 6-2 CILIC. Federer plants down a pair of aces as he seals the game to 15 and the set in just 24 minutes. The Swiss roared out of traps and Cilic was helpless for much of it. Can he get a foothold in this from here? There were a few small signs he has settled in the past couple of games.
FEDERER 5-2 CILIC. Marin responds with his best service game so far. It's a love hold and means more in terms of being more competitive in set 2 than providing hope he can salvage this one. Federer to serve for it, next.
PHOTO: Federer has since wiped that smile right off Marin's face.
FEDERER 5-1 CILIC. Federer makes quick work of another service game. It's a love hold once again. He's one away from taking a very, very one-sided opening set.
FEDERER 4-1 CILIC. Cheers of encouragement from the crowd. Fair to say most want Federer to win, but they also want to see a competitive match. Cilic finally gets on the board with a much more convincing service game to 30. He'll feel slightly better now, but will no doubt look back on this shocking start with real disappointment in the days ahead.
FEDERER 4-0 CILIC. Too good. Federer effortlessly moves 40-0 up. A big forehand winner offers brief resistance, but another error into the net from the Croatian sees the world No.2 back up the double break. Marin looks like a rabbit in the headlines right now.
BREAK! - FEDERER 3-0 CILIC. This is a first-set nightmare right now for Chila. He looks anxious and a shadow of the player who has been so solid throughout this fortnight. Federer takes advantage to tee up triple break point and doesn't have to do much as Cilic angles a backhand wide to give the Swiss another gift that will surely mean he goes a set down in the not-too-distant future.
FEDERER 2-0 CILIC. Is it too early to suggest this is ominous? Federer rampages to a love hold to consolidate in style. He's making a real statement of intent early on.
BREAK! - FEDERER 1-0 CILIC. Marin is going to need the big serve to fire on all cylinders today and this was a very shaky start. A dismissive backhand return winner conjures up an immediate break point for Federer, who thinks he's done it when a Cilic drive to the baseline is called long. Marin wins a reprieve with a successful challenge, but then slaps a tricky overhead into the net. Federer is in the driving seat.
Cilic won the toss and is now ready to serve first.
The coach analyses Cilic's best bet for upsetting Federer and lifting his second Slam title.
Federer reveals he went on holiday with Cilic just months ago.
Cilic: "It's a big motivation for me to play the final and obviously to win. I'm feeling really good with my game, so hopefully I can have a great match and also great energy on the court."
How Federer reached a record seventh Australian Open final.
FED FIRST? A victory would move Federer to within 155 points of world No.1 Rafael Nadal. Meanwhile, Cilic will be the No.3 come Monday regardless of the result, but could romp 1130 points clear of Grigor Dimitrov in fourth if he lifts the trophy.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: This is their 10th meeting. Federer has been dominant in the match-up with no fewer than eight wins. Cilic's solitary success came in a straight sets semi-final demolition of the Swiss Maestro en route to that US Open title four years ago. The players also met in last year's Wimbledon final when a visibly struggling Cilic went down 6-3 6-1 6-4.
SLAM STATS: Federer is targeting a record 20th major title. Cilic is aiming to lift his second after winning the 2014 US Open final.
Hello and welcome to LIVE updates of the 2018 Australian Open men's final. It's world No.2 and five-time champion down under, Roger Federer against Croatia's No.6 seed, Marin Cilic. I'm @paul_hassall and I'll be taking you through the game-by-game coverage. The players are due on court in Rod Laver Arena shortly.