Roger Federer vs Marin Cilic LIVE updates
08:05: Eurosport are reporting that a decision will be made soon over whether to close the roof on Rod Laver.
It’s another extremely hot day in Melbourne.
Aussie legend Pat Cash is not pleased with the prospect of the roof closing though: “It’s an open tournament, it will be a crime if they close it.”
07:55: Will there be an upset at the Australian Open today?
Former British No 1 John Lloyd doesn’t think so.
“There’s a chance but it’s a small one,” Lloyd told BBC 5 Live this morning.
“Cilic has to play at his best and Federer has to play less than his best.
“I will go with Federer. But it’s going to be a great final.”
07:50: The players are expected to walk onto the Rod Laver Arena at around 8:30am with play to begin shortly afterwards.
07:40: Federer and Cilic have met each other nine times with the Swiss star leading the head-to-head 8-1.
Cilic’s only victory came in 2014 when beat Federer on the way to winning the US Open.
Federer vs Cilic head-to-head
2017 – Federer d Cilic 6-7(5) 6-4 6-1 (ATP Finals, hard)
2017 – Federer d Cilic 6-3 6-1 6-4 (Wimbledon, grass)
2016 – Federer d Cilic 6-7(4) 4-6 6-3 7-6(9) 6-3 (Wimbledon, grass)
2014 – Cilic d Federer 6-3 6-4 6-4 (U.S. Open, hard)
2014 – Federer d Cilic 7-6(5) 6-7(3) 6-4 (Toronto, hard)
2012 – Federer d Cilic 6-3 6-4 (Shanghai, hard)
2011 – Federer d Cilic 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-2 (U.S. Open, hard)
2011 – Federer d Cilic 6-4 6-3 (Monaco, clay)
2008 – Federer d Cilic 6-3 6-4 (Paris, hard)
07:20: Federer and Cilic have both in serene form throughout the tournament.
Here’s how they have progressed through –
Roger Federer’s Australian Open 2018 run
First round: beat Aljaz Bedene (Slovenia) 6-3 6-4 6-3
Second round: beat Jan-Lennard Struff (Germany) 6-4 6-4 7-6(4)
Third Round: beat 29-Richard Gasquet (France) 6-2 7-5 6-4
Fourth Round: beat Marton Fucsovics (Hungary) 6-4 7-6(3) 6-2
Quarter-finals: beat 19-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 7-6(1) 6-3 6-4
Semi-finals: beat Chung Hyeon (South Korea) 6-1 5-2 Retired
Marin Cilic’s Australian Open 2018 run
First round: beat Vasek Pospisil (Canada) 6-2 6-2 4-6 7-6(5)
Second round: beat Joao Sousa (Portugal) 6-1 7-5 6-2
Third Round: beat Ryan Harrison (U.S.) 7-6(4) 6-3 7-6(4)
Fourth Round: beat Pablo Carreno Busta (Spain) 6-7(2) 6-3 7-6(0) 7-6(3)
Quarter-finals: beat Rafa Nadal (Spain) 3-6 6-3 6-7(5) 6-2 2-0 Retired
Semi-finals: beat Kyle Edmund (Britain) 6-2 7-6(4) 6-2
07:00: The Australian Open final is almost upon us, with Roger Federer and Marin Cilic in Melbourne.
And you can follow it LIVE with Express Sport.