Melbourne:The peerless Swiss world number one, 25, fought off two set points in theopening set before stepping up a gear to secure his third Australian title witha 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-4 win over the Chilean 10th seed.

He joined American Bill Tilden as joint fifth all-time Grand Slam titleleader with 10 behind American Pete Sampras's 14.

Federer also became only the fourth man to win a Grand Slam title withoutdropping a set, the last being Sweden's Bjorn Borg at the 1980 French Open.

But it was 36 years at the Australian Open since Australian Ken Rosewall wonthe title without losing a set.

"I knew he is a tough and a dangerous player and the way he's beengoing through the draw here made me wonder what he was doing different thistime and his win over (Rafael) Nadal shocked me," Federer said.

"When I got ready for the match I told myself that I've beaten him ninetimes, to take it easy and try to play my game and hopefully it was going towork out, and it did."

The mercurial Swiss went into the final having already equalled AustralianJack Crawford's all-time record for seven consecutive Grand Slam finalappearances and he has now won three straight major titles.

It was his 36th consecutive match for his longest winning streak as heclaimed his 46th title.

Gonzalez, who went into the decider in unbelievable form, was poised to takethe opening set with two set points. But the champion Swiss fought off thethreat with brinkmanship tennis.

He put Gonzalez's backhand under unrelenting pressure after winning the63-minute opening set struggle and went on for his 10th consecutive win overthe Chilean.

"I thought he was a better player than me in the first set, up untilthat point," Federer said.

 "If he closes it out 6-4 he'sclearly the better player in that set, but I came back just at the rightmoment," he said.

Federer now has a 10-1 record in Grand Slam finals with his only loss comingagainst Spain'sRafael Nadal in last year's French Open, which is the only major title he hasyet to win.

He was in danger of dropping a set for the first time in 11 matches in thefirst set, but he fought off two set points and then broke back to 5-5. He thenhad four separate set points of his own on Gonzalez's serve before the marathonset went to a tiebreaker.

Federer then took charge in the second set with a service break in theseventh game and had little difficulty on serve to hold three set points andtake a two-love lead with an ace.

He got his decisive breakthrough in the seventh game of the final set,taking the break on his fourth break point at the net by putting away a volley.

He served out for the championship and claimed match point with a backhandwinner.

Despite the loss Gonzalez, whose game has been revitalised by American coachLarry Stefanki, is projected to climb to five on the next rankings.

"Roger took every opportunity. I had opportunities but didn't takethem. He is a great player," said Gonzalez.

"I've been playing really good tennis so I'm at a good level and I'mstill improving, so it's been a very positive tournament for me," he said.

He is only the third South American to reach the Australian Open final inthe Open Era (post-1969) after Chile'sMarcelo Rios in 1998 and Guillermo Vilas of Argentina in 1977-79.