Despite being just 22, Andy Murray had given the impression that he was primed and ready to end Great Britain's 74-year wait for a men's Grand Slam champion during the 2010 Australian Open.
After all, the Scot had been impressive on his way to the final, having dropped just one set in overcoming the likes of John Isner, Marin Cilic and Rafael Nadal, who was forced to retire injured in the pair's quarter-final meeting.
However, for all the positivity surrounding Murray, standing between him and a maiden crown five years ago today was Roger Federer.
Not only was the 28-year-old a 15-time Grand Slam winner, he also had the mental edge over Murray, mainly because he had comfortably defeated the young Brit in what was his only other appearance in a major final back at the 2008 US Open.
From the outset, Murray struggled with his serve and sensing blood, the deadly Federer pounced. The Swiss star broke for a 5-3 lead in the opening set, before serving out to win it.
Now in control of proceedings, Federer broke to love at the start of the second set and even at that early stage, it was enough for the world number one to open up a two-set lead.
To Murray's credit, he rallied in the third set and actually earned himself five points to force the encounter into a fourth rubber, but he was unable to convert any of them.
Federer was not so charitable, though, and with the match two hours and 41 minutes old, he secured the title following a lengthy tie-break as Murray found the net.
Speaking after his 6-3 6-4 7-6(11) victory, Federer said: "I always knew I had it in my hand. The question is, do I have it in my mind and in my legs? That's something I had to work extremely hard at. Now I feel like obviously I'm being pushed a great deal by the new generation coming up. I always feel sort of tennis changes sort of every five years.
"When I came on tour, matches were played very differently. It was more of a bluff game, guys serving well, but there was always a weakness you could go to. Today, that doesn't exist anymore. I think that's also thanks to guys like Murray. They've made me a better player, because I think this has been one of my finest performances in a long time, or maybe forever."
Meanwhile, finding it difficult to hold back tears, an emotional Murray said on court: "I congratulate Roger on all of his accomplishments, and to keep doing it year after year is incredible, and tonight, he was a lot better than me. I can cry like Roger - it's just a shame I can't play like him."
If was Federer's fourth victory Down Under and to date, it remains the now 33-year-old's last triumph at Melbourne Park.
Liam Apicella
