Roger Federer became the first man in 27 years to win a Grand Slam title without dropping a set with victory over Fernando Gonzalez in the Australian Open final.

The Swiss star made it 10th Grand Slam titles with a 7-6 (7/2) 6-4 6-4 victory in Melbourne to draw level with Bill Tilden in fifth place on the all-time list.

Gonzalez had his chance in the first set, but blew two set points.

After securing the first break of the match in the eighth game, Gonzalez served for the set and led 40-15 but couldn't convert his chances.

He then saved four set points against him at 5-6 to force a tie-break, but the Swiss maestro ran away with the breaker, racing 5-0 ahead before winning it by seven points to two.

Gonzalez, who then required treatment for a shoulder injury, dug in at the start of the second set but was broken in the seventh game.

That proved decisive and there was to be no way back.

The Chilean, who had beaten the likes of James Blake and Rafael Nadal en route to his first Grand Slam final, could simply make no impact on the Federer serve.

Federer allowed him only two points on his delivery in the third set.

Again the crucial break came in the seventh game which included two memorable rallies.

Federer won the second with a volley - he was rock solid at the net all night - to set up break point and although that one was saved another soon arrived and was taken.

The defending champion duly served out, completing victory with a backhand winner before collapsing to the ground in delight.

Federer's straight-sets win meant he had won the tournament without dropping a set, equalling the feat last achieved by Bjorn Borg at Roland Garros in 1980. Ken Rosewall was previously the only man to achieve it in Melbourne.

Afterwards Federer turned his attention to May's French Open, the only major title he has yet to win.

"The French Open is obviously the next big one for me. That's going to be very interesting to see how I'm going to do there," he said.

"I've made one step further every year now. I went from semis to finals. I got closer to Rafa (Nadal) as well. I think it's going to be a very interesting."

The win was also Federer's 36th in a row on the tour, a new personal best, and gave him a third title at Melbourne Park.

Gonzalez, meanwhile, paid tribute to Federer, admitting he had missed his chance in the opening set.

"Roger took every opportunity. I had my opportunity in the first set and I couldn't make it," he said.

"I feel that he's a great player. He can make everything.

"But he's defending really well. When I attack him he's back in the middle, and that confuses you a little bit. That was really important in his game."