As another Australian Open comes to an end, Jack Martin looks back at what we learned from this year’s tournament…

Roger Federer marks new era with 20th Grand Slam

When Federer won the Australian Open last year, his first major in five years, it was believed to be the last glance of an incredible champion on top of the world.

He had just come back from a six-month lay-off with injury and, at 35-years old, was seeded 17th. The odds on him lifting the title were remote but he surprised the sporting world and himself by winning a fifth crown in Melbourne.

On Sunday, however, as he retained his title in five sets against Marin Cilic, he was left even more amazed. And no wonder. This is his third Slam in 12 months and his 20th overall. It’s a new era of dominance. The younger generation has faltered, and his rivals seem to be creaking. Amazingly, at this moment, there is no reason to suggest his resurgence will be short-lived either.

Caroline Wozniacki shuts up critics but Simona Halep unlucky again

After a good few near misses, finally, Caroline Wozniacki lifted her maiden Grand Slam on Saturday and returned to world number one for the first time in six years.

At the end of 2017, the 27-year-old was branded a ‘journeyman player’ by Maria Sharapova’s agent and was often criticized for her lack of Slam wins. This victory, though, has sent a big message to her critics.

Simona Halep, meanwhile, must be doubting if she’ll ever get over the line in a Slam final. In 2014, she was defeated by Sharapova at Roland Garros in three sets. And, last year, at the same event, the Romanian appeared nailed on to collect her first major but ended up being edged out by youngster Jelena Ostapenko.

Losing a third Slam final to Wozniacki in Oz will have left another mental scar which will take some resilience to come back from.

 All signs point to a strong year for Marin Cilic

Although Cilic will be hugely disappointed to lose another Slam final, the Croatian should be feeling confident with where his game is at.

This was his second Slam final in six months, after following up the final appearance at Wimbledon last year, and that kind of consistency shows he has what it takes to mix it at the top.

With many big names suffering with injury and showing no signs of returning to their best, Cilic can certainly take advantage and have a strong season if he maintains the level he displayed in Melbourne.

Angelique Kerber finding her feet again

After an indifferent season in 2017, when she often looked tired and disinterested, Kerber must be encouraged by her strong performance in Melbourne this year.

The German looked fresh, revitalized and inspired again in the first major of the year as she reached the semi-finals losing only tightly in a third set tie-break to Halep.

With Serena Williams likely to be rusty when she arrives back on tour, Kerber, providing she finds momentum and keeps focused, can regain some of her dominance in 2018.