MELBOURNE: Only Marin Cilic stands between Roger Federer and a 20th Grand Slam title as an injury-ravaged Australian Open staggers to its Sunday final at Melbourne Park.
The 36-year-old Swiss marvel continues to defy the years and attrition rate to reach his 30th Grand Slam decider and a shot at his sixth Australian crown while his long-time rivals have fallen by the wayside.
World No.1 Rafael Nadal, six-time champion Novak Djokovic and former winner Stan Wawrinka succumbed to injuries, while five-time finalist Andy Murray didn’t even get to the starting line.
Yet Federer is again still standing.
Cilic overcame him on the way to winning the 2014 US Open final, but it is his only win in nine encounters and the Swiss defending champion has glided to the brink of another title without dropping a set.
Federer is supremely confident he has it all in place to join Djokovic and Australian Roy Emerson with the most Australian titles.
“It’s not about having to improve anything in particular,” he said ahead of the final.
“I’m pleased that my game has been good from the very beginning of the tournament so far.
“I mean, I’ve won all my matches without dropping a set. Things must be all right if I haven’t dropped a set and in the final.”
Federer was waved through to the final with an all-too-brief semifinal that lasted just 62 minutes when South Korean youngster Chung Hyeon retired with severe foot blisters.
Five of Federer’s six matches have finished on or under two hours and he has been on court for a total of 10hr 50min, some 6hr 13mins less than Cilic.
“I would have preferred a normal end (to the Chung match), yes. But I must admit, as well, you do take the faster matches whenever you can,” said Federer.
“There’s enough wear and tear on the body, there’s enough tough matches throughout the season that when they happen, you take them.”
But he knows he faces a tough seasoned opponent in Cilic to win the big one.
“I definitely think him winning the US Open has given him great belief he can do it. If the big moments come about, that he can attain this level,” Federer said.
“I like his attitude. He’s very professional. He’s always very much the same regardless of whether he wins or loses.
“On the court, he’s a winner. He’s there to win and not just to be there. I think he strives for more.”
Win or lose Federer will remain world No.2 behind Nadal while Cilic is ensured of climbing from his current six to a career-high three.
Cilic, 29, has had a trailblazing tournament and is the first Croatian man or woman to appear in a Melbourne final.
His career high point so far has been victory at the 2014 US Open where, as the 14th seed, he swept past Federer in straight sets on the way to beating Kei Nishikori in the final.
But he was in tears when he gamely played on with a nasty blister on his left foot in last year’s Wimbledon decider against Federer, describing it as very tough to deal with.
Another opportunity to win a second Grand Slam quickly materialized when he toppled injured Nadal in the quarter-finals and rising British star Kyle Edmund in the semis.
He says he is in a good space with his serve and forehand.
“I’m feeling really good physically, even though I had a few matches that went more than three hours,” Cilic said.
“I’ve played a great tournament so far, I’m playing much more aggressive, hitting most of the shots really good.
“From the return, moving, forehand, backhand, serving, I think everything is in a good, solid spot. Feeling really excited about the final.”
But on facing Federer, he added: “When it gets to the semifinals, finals, he gets better and better and is playing great tennis. So with him it’s always a big challenge.”
More Slam glory beckons for ageless Roger Federer
More Slam glory beckons for ageless Roger Federer
Football’s return to Syrian pitches brings fanfare — and friction
RIYADH: Just 10 days after the first anniversary of Syria’s Liberation Day, and one week after the historic performance of the country’s football team at the 2025 Arab Cup — where they reached the quarterfinals — domestic football returned as the Syrian Premier League kicked off its new season.
While league football has continued intermittently since a one-year suspension in 2011, this season represents a notable shift.
For the first time since 2017, the competition features 16 teams playing a full round-robin format — a return to structural normality after years of disrupted campaigns, withdrawals and operational challenges caused by conflict and deteriorating infrastructure.
Foreign players have also returned in significant numbers. A total of 25 overseas players are registered across the 16 clubs in what is now known as the “Prime TV” Syrian Premier League, following the broadcaster’s acquisition of domestic broadcasting rights for the season.
Yet despite the sense of renewal, the league’s reset has been far from smooth. Average attendances remain well below pre-war levels, while the season itself was delayed multiple times before eventually beginning in mid-December — a schedule that is now expected to extend deep into the summer months.
Concerns over facilities and fan safety have already sparked internal tension. The anticipated Matchday Two fixture between Tishreen and Hottin — also known as the Latakia Derby — was postponed by the Syrian Football Association until further notice. No official explanation was provided, but stadium readiness and crowd safety has been at the core of football discussion in Syria.
Supporters have also voiced their frustration over the newly announced ticket prices. Entry fees increased from 5,000 Syrian pounds ($0.45) to 15,000 SYP, a threefold rise announced by the SFA and widely cited as a factor behind subdued crowds.
Infrastructure remains a pressing issue. Historic venues such as Khalid Ibn Al-Walid Stadium in the city of Homs are still not cleared to host games due to pitch conditions and safety requirements, reinforcing the sense of uneven progress — advances made, but frequently offset by new obstacles.
Operational shortcomings were evident as early as the first game of the season. In the opening fixture between Al-Shorta and Hottin, a formal warning was issued to the former by the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee due to a breach in organizational arrangements for the match, including the failure to provide ball boys, which led to a five-minute delay to kick-off.
Political sensitivities have not been easy to navigate either. Al-Karamah were fined 1,500,000 SYP after fans directed verbal abuse at Al-Wahda player Milad Hamad, due to previous political posts made on his Facebook account.
Five days later, Al-Wahda announced Hamad’s suspension from all sporting activities pending review by the relevant committee at the SFA. “This decision comes in solidarity with all our beloved Syrian fans and as a reaffirmation of our commitment to the unity of our people and our land, and to the fact that the blood of our martyrs in the Syrian Revolution has not been shed in vain,” the club said in a statement posted via their official Facebook page.
Rebuilding a sustainable football system in Syria has proven complex. The league’s return has brought moments of excitement alongside renewed tension — a reminder that restoring domestic football is not simply about restarting competition, but about addressing the structures that support it. The Syrian Football Association was contacted for comment, but did not respond.
