MELBOURNE, Jan 28 - Fernando Gonzalez said the loss of a tight first set to Roger Federer was the turning point in the Australian Open final on Sunday.

The Chilean 10th seed, his country's first grand slam finalist since Marcelo Rios at Melbourne Park in 1998, fought bravely against the world number one before going down 7-6 6-4 6-4 in two hours and 20 minutes of high quality play.

Gonzalez, who had inflicted defeats on fifth seed James Blake and second seed Rafael Nadal en route to the final, had two set points at 5-4 in the opener before the Swiss maestro broke back and then won the tiebreak 7-2.

"The match may be different if I had won the first set," said the south American, who will rise to number five in the world rankings after his run.

"Maybe I lose in four but I think every time I play him I never win the first set so that was maybe a key."

The 2004 Olympic doubles champion had lost all his previous nine encounters with the world number one, but in Sunday's first set he battled to the limit with Federer, making the Swiss great look less than unbeatable for the first time in the tournament.

Federer's ploy of constantly working his opponent round the court started to take its toll on an exhausted Gonzalez, who conceded breaks in game seven of the second and third sets

DEFENDED WELL

"I had a chance in the first set he's a great player he can do everything and defended really well, when I attack him.

"I didn't take my opportunity, he needs only one break per set and he was playing really good tennis.

"He moved me around really well, was playing very good against the wind. He took me out of my position, it was tough."

Despite falling to a 10-0 career record against the Swiss, the 26-year-old was still adamant he could reach the summit of the world rankings.

"I think I can (be number one), I have to be ready when Roger comes down little bit. He's on the way to be the best player ever but he makes things very simple and whenever has a chance he takes it.

"I'm at a good level, I'm still improving and I can still improve further. It's been a very positive tournament for me.

"Of course he's beatable but it's tough I think every match is a new match so I'll have to try next time.

"He was missing a bit with his forehand, he gave me a chance, but only in the first set after that he was playing too good.