Australian Open 2018 Men's Final: TV Schedule, Start Time and Live Stream

Gill Clark @@gillclarkyFeatured Columnist IJanuary 26, 2018

Switzerland's Roger Federer gestures after South Korea's Chung Hyeon retired from their men's singles semi-finals match on day 12 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 26, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

WILLIAM WEST/Getty Images

Roger Federer will face Marin Cilic in the final of the 2018 Australian Open as the Swiss star bids to retain the title he won last year.

The 36-year-old has yet to drop a set in the tournament so far and will face the man he beat in straight sets in the 2017 Wimbledon final.

Cilic will be hoping for a better showing against Federer this time around and has had a strong showing in Melbourne, ousting top seed Rafael Nadal and beating Kyle Edmund in straight sets in his semi-final.

Here's the schedule for Sunday's final:

Date: Sunday, January 28

Time: 8.30 a.m. (GMT)/3.30 a.m. (ET)

TV: ESPN (U.S.), Eurosport 1 (UK)

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Live Stream: WatchESPN (U.S.), Eurosport Player (UK), Sky Go (UK)

Federer is once again the man to beat in Melbourne and has looked a cut above at the tournament. The 36-year-old is now into his 30th Grand Slam final, and his record at the major events is unbelievable, per BBC Sport:

BBC Tennis @bbctennis
So, Roger Federer will defend his #ausopen title against Marin Cilic in his 30th Grand Slam final. Here's a look at his impressive tally at majors. https://t.co/NpQMPIlWpa #bbctennis https://t.co/nQ6xF7AA9f

The Swiss star will be looking to win his 20th Grand Slam and etch his name even deeper into tennis history with victory over Cilic. Tennis writer Jose Morgado showed how he has a good record against the Croatian:

José Morgado @josemorgado
Federer 8-1 vs Cilic, 4-1 on hardcourts, 3-1 in Grand Slams, 1-0 in Grand Slams finals. But tough for Roger to forget that *only loss*

However, Cilic has tasted an important win over Federer. He beat him in the semi-finals of the US Open in 2014, on his way to picking up the title.

The last time he faced Federer in a final he ended up in tears on Centre Court at Wimbledon due to painful blisters on his feet preventing him from playing at his top level.

The Croatian has said he is "feeling good" this time around and will also be well rested ahead of the final, per Metro's George Bellshaw.

Sunday's final will mark the first time a Croatian has ever reached the Australian Open final. No matter what the result he will also rise to a career-high world ranking, per the ATP World Tour:

ATP World Tour @ATPWorldTour
Marin Cilic becomes the first Croatian to reach the #AusOpen final. He will rise to a career-high No. 3 in the ATP Rankings on Monday. Read More ▶️: https://t.co/Df4hj18g6d https://t.co/4FXAH4R7mL

The 29-year-old heads into Sunday's final in good shape, and while Federer remains the hot favourite, Cilic will surely give the champion the toughest test he has faced yet at this year's tournament.

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