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(CNN)Roger Federer reached the milestone of 1,000 ATP Tour wins when he won the title in Brisbane on Sunday but was fought to the end by Canadian Milos Raonic in a tense three-set final.
The 33-year-old Swiss, along with Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl, is the only player in the modern professional era to have achieved the feat, and he claimed his 83rd title of his career.
Federer led by a set and 2-0 until Raonic broke back and reeled off seven points in a row in the tiebreak to level by a set.
The third set could have gone either way, with leader Federer fending off five break points, but a single break on Raonic’s serve proved crucial and he completed the win in two hours and 13 minutes.
Read: Federer’s 1,000 wins in numbers
It ended a fine week for the world number two as he prepares for a tilt at the upcoming Australian Open title in Melbourne.
In contrast, his arch-rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal slipped to preliminary defeat at the ATP event in Doha to disrupt their preparation for the season’s opening Grand Slam.
Read: Djokovic joins Nadal in Doha exit
Federer, who was surprisingly beaten by Lleyton Hewitt in the final of the corresponding event last year, won the Brisbane title for the first time.
His most recent triumph saw him extend his career record to 8-1 over rising Raonic, but still has some catching up to do on former greats Connors (1,253 wins) and Lendl (1,071).
Read: Can Nadal Say He’s Fit In 2015?
At the presentation he was presented with the trophy by Roy Emerson and a special award for 1,000 victories by Australian legend Rod Laver.
“Bringing two greats to 1,000 wins in front of you means a lot to me,” said Federer.
“I will never forget this moment.”
Wawrinka doubles
In another ATP final action on Sunday, top seed Stanislas Wawrinka successfully defended his title at the Chennai Open in India.
Federer’s compatriot Wawrinka, preparing to defend his Australian Open title, defeated Slovenian qualifier Aljaz Bedene 6-3, 6-4 in 69 minutes in the final.
Wawrinka, 29, also won the 2011 hard-court event title.
It was his eighth tournament win of his career and earns him 250 ranking points.
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