MELBOURNE: A tearful Roger Federer survived a second set `freeze` and an onslaught from Croatia`s Marin Cilic to win his sixth Australian Open and 20th Grand Slam title on Sunday.

The Swiss defending champion dropped his only sets of the tournament before completing a 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 win over the sixthseeded Croatian in 3hr 3min.

Federer, playing in his 30th Grand Slam final, joined Novak Djokovic and Australian great Roy Emerson as joint top for the most Australian Open men`s titles.

With the stadium roof closed to keep out the withering Melbourne heat, the 36-year-old grabbed the first set in 24 minutes.

But Cilic, who suffered a nightmare in last year`s Wimbledon final against Federer when blisters wrecked his chances, was not goingto let his first Australian Open final slide by in a flash.

Despite fighting a lone battle against Federer and most of the crowd, he reeled off five consecutive games to extend the champion into a deciding set.

The outcome hung in the balance but Federer recovered his mojo after saving two break points at the start of the fifth and was roared home to victory by an adoring crowd.

Despite all his titles and accolades Federer was overcome with emotion during his victory speech.

Federer arrived in Melbourne at the start of 2017 after an extended injury layoff and on a Grand Slam title drought that dated back to 2012 at Wimbledon. Having successfully defended his Australian title, Federer has now won three of the last five majors in a stunningcareer resurgence.

`I`m so happy. It`s unbelievable,` Federer said, taking deep breaths and choking back tears.

`Of course, winning is an absolute dream come true the fairytale continues for us, for me, after the great year I had last year, it`s incredible.

`I got off to a flyer but I froze in the debreak and lost that second set and lost control of the match. I got a bit lucky tonight I think.

Federer started to tear up toward the end of the trophy ceremony as he thanked his team in the stands: `I love you guys. Thank you.` He then received a standing ovation as tears streamed down his face.

At the age of 36 years, 173 days, Federer became the second-oldest man to win a Grand Slam title in the Open era after Ken Rosewall, who won the 1972Australian Open at 37.

`This one tonight reminded me more of 2006 here when I beat Marcos Baghdatis in the final and had a great run to the final and was a huge f avourite going in,` he later explained.

`I was keeping the composure and I was just so relieved when everything was said and done and I think I felt the same way tonight and that`s why I couldn`t speak, it was terrible.

Cilic, who will rise to a careerhigh three in the rankings, managed only four points in the first four games, but despite precious little support amongst the shamelessly pro-Federer crowd, made sure the tournament ended with a proper contest.

`It was an amazing journey for me. It could have been the best two weeks of my life,` Cilic, , who was chasing his second major title af ter winning the 2014 US Open, said. `I had the chance at the beginning of the fifth but he played a great match. I want to thank my team, you`re unbelievable. We worked hard for this year, hopefully we will lift these trophies in the future.

The match wasn`t entirely without controversy after organisers decided early to close the roof for the final, just as they had for the afternoon mixed doubles final when Croatia`s Mate Pavic and Canada`s Gabriela Dabrowski beat India`s Rohan Bopanna and Timea Babos of Hungary 2-6, 6-4, (11-9) for the title.

While Melbourne Park cooked, Federer was as cool as a cucumber in the relatively benign conditions on court.

Cilic`s serve came under immediate pressure with a whipping backhand return winner for break point which the Croatian followed with a smash into the net for a break in the opening game.

The Croat found it difficult to settle as he dropped serve again to trail 0-3. The Swiss star served out the set, capitalising on Cilic`s shaky opening.

Cilic worked his way back into the match and in the second set tiebreaker he got to two set points when his forehand clipped the line before a winning smash levelled the match.

Order was quickly restored as Federer took the third set and when he had a point for a double break in the fourth the title beckoned. Cilic blasted his way out of trouble though and when he broke to love for 3-3 he looked menacing.

Cilic will rue the two break points he squandered in the first game of the decider the first with a dreadful forehand and second with a shanked return.

Af ter serving out at love, his celebration was delayed slightly by an unsuccessful challenge from Cilic on match point. It was a similar end to his five-set win over Nadal here last year. And, just like 12 months ago, the tears flowed.-Agenciesc MELBOURNE: Switzerland s Roger Federer hits a return to Marin Cilic of Croatia during the Australian Open final on Sunday.-AFP