Roger Federer celebrates his victory against Spain’s Rafael Nadal during the men's singles final of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday. Pic/AFP

Mother, do something," I yel­led involuntarily as Roger Federer was broken in the opening game of the fifth set of the final of the Australian Open on Sunday. It had been gripping, nail-biting, awe-inspiring so far, but now it was getting desperate. On the line was a beyond-historic 18th Grand Slam singles title for Federer and an equally rare 15th Grand Slam singles title for Rafael Nadal.