Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a shot in the men’s final match against Milos Raonic of Canada during the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015. AP
BRISBANE, Australia — Roger Federer notched his 1,000th career victory and collected his 83rd title with a seesawing 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-4 win over third-seeded Milos Raonic of Canada in the Brisbane International final on Sunday.
The 17-time major winner broke Raonic’s serve in the third game and again in the opening game of the second set before Raonic broke back for 2-2 and then dominated the tiebreaker.
Raonic was playing a cool, composed game until he served his first double-fault of the third set, giving Federer championship point. He netted a forehand on the next point to end the 2 hour, 13-minute match.
Only retired greats Jimmy Connors (1,253) and Ivan Lendl (1,071) have won more than 1,000 matches on the men’s tour.