Wimbledon - Federer takes record with epic win


Roger Federer won a record 15th Grand Slam after beating sixth seed Andy Roddick in an epic fifth set 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14 in the Wimbledon men's final.

Federer's victory was all the more incredible for the fact that he recovered from one set down, and trailed 6-2 in a second set tie-break before he won the next two sets to seize control of a scintillating encounter on Centre Court.

Roddick refused to be denied, and the American fought back against the world number two with ferocious intensity, and clinched the fourth set 6-3 with real conviction.

The fifth set was a positive barrage of aces from the rackets of both players but finally, serving to stay in the match for the 11th time, Roddick was broken as Federer sealed a monumental win.

At 27 years old, Federer has now overhauled Pete Sampras's incredible tally of 14 titles, among which he can count six Wimbledon crowns to surpass Bjorn Borg and Lawrence Doherty's five.

For Roddick, it was a third defeat to the Swiss in finals at the All England Club to follow similar results in 2004 and 2005, and to compound the American's frustration, his nemesis now holds a staggering 19-2 career advantage over him.

The artistry of the Swiss generally trumped the 26-year-old's punch and grit and, in playing in his seventh straight Wimbledon final and record 20th Grand Slam title match, the world number two looked utterly composed.

Both players settled incredibly quickly, finding a good rhythm on serve and looking comfortable in the process, as the first 10 games were rattled through.

Indeed, Roddick did not commit an unforced error until the set was locked at 5-5, despite Federer having sauntered through his service holds in a more serene fashion.

The American was forced to save three break points in his sixth service game, and even had to challenge a line call to save the second, but held his nerve impressively.

Perhaps a touch of complacency set in to Federer's game, as he drilled two erratic forehands wide and long to hand Roddick the crucial break which clinched the first set for the American 7-5, to the crowd's disbelief.

With the second set mimicking the first on the most part, the only game which was not taken with assurance on serve was at 5-5, with Federer double faulting for 30-30, but again he came through unscathed.

Roddick began the second set tie-break with a 143mph ace and, having won 26 out of 31 breakers this season, the American looked invincible as he raced into a 6-2 lead.

The turning point was perhaps an inexplicably mishit backhand volley from the sixth seed, and his four set points slowly and painfully eroded before him as Federer stormed back to clinch the second set with his first opportunity at 8-6.

While Federer proceeded to cruise through his service games at the start of the third set, Roddick was forced to battle valiantly to save a break point at 30-40 in the sixth game, as the Swiss turned the screw.

Roddick showed real resilience in forcing a second tie-break, and this time the roles were reversed as Federer raced into a 5-1 lead, pouncing on two tepid second serves from the American.

The sixth seed clawed his way back into the breaker, and demanded of his opponent that he hold his nerve at 6-5 to serve out for the third set: Federer duly did just that.

Roddick was undeterred by having slipped behind in the match, and broke the Swiss in the fourth game of the fourth set, slamming a backhand down the line to re-exert his authority.

Federer smelt an opportunity after the American had double faulted at 30-30 with a 4-2 lead, but the sixth seed won an epic 21-shot rally with a powerful forehand, and followed it with a booming ace to consolidate his break.

Federer surged into a 0-30 lead with Roddick erring slightly as he served for the fourth set, but the American harried superbly to win an extended rally, and delivered another stunning first serve out wide to take the match into a fifth and final set.

In just the second game of the final set, Roddick continued his unblemished record of saving break points in the match, and rescued a sixth with an emphatic first serve out wide after Federer had won an 18-shot rally with a deft forehand.

Both players refused to compromise on their serves, crunching big deliveries seemingly at will, and Federer unthinkably out-aced his opponent as the final set coasted along through 6-6 and beyond.

With the set locked at 8-8, Roddick found an exquisite backhand passing shot down the line to prompt two set points, but somehow Federer wrestled his way out of trouble in the manner of an escapologist, holding after deuce.

As both players grew wearier, their impeccable standards finally began to wilt, and two overhit backhands from Roddick handed victory to Federer, his record-breaking victor in the most dramatic manner.

Prior to the match Federer stood, in many people's eyes, on the cusp of ending the perennial debate over whether he is the game's greatest ever player. His record now stands alone.
Dan Quarrell / Eurosport

With 15 grand slam titles to his name and a few good years left to play tennis, Is it a foregone conclusion now that Roger Federer, 29, is the greatest tennis player alive and of al time? Let's have your thoughts.

He is the greatest EVER. . . . .
I am so lucky to have witnessed the ingenuity and this wonderful tennis player.
There can never be another. . . .

************************************************STATISTICS************************************************

* Born Aug. 8, 1981 in Basel, Switzerland.

* Bursts on to the scene in 2001 when he ends Pete Sampras's 31-match winning streak at Wimbledon in the fourth round before losing in the quarter-finals.

RECORD 15 GRAND SLAM TITLES

Wimbledon, 2003-2007, 2009; U.S. Open 2004-2008; Australian Open 2004, 2006, 2007; French Open 2009.

* In 2003, becomes the first Swiss man to win a grand slam after beating Mark Philippoussis in the Wimbledon final.

* Is the only man to win five consecutive titles at two different grand slams - Wimbledon and U.S. Open.

* Is the first man to win Wimbledon-U.S. Open double four years in a row.

* Is the only man in the professional era to win three consecutive majors twice in his career when he captured the 2007 Australian Open title.

* Equalled Bjorn Borg's record of five consecutive Wimbledon titles in 2007.

* His run of reaching 10 consecutive grand slam finals is snapped by Djokovic in the 2008 Australian Open semi-finals.

* The 2008 five-set epic at Wimbledon is regarded by many as the best ever tennis match. He lost the match to Rafael Nadal.

* His 2009 French Open crown makes him only the sixth man - after Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson and Andre Agassi - to have won all four grand slam titles during their careers.

* Has reached a record 21 consecutive grand slam semi-finals.

* Breaks American Pete Sampras's record of 14 grand slam titles with his 15th win in the 2009 Wimbledon final to reclaim the world number one spot from Rafael Nadal.

* In 2009, becomes the first man to reach seven successive Wimbledon finals since the abolition of the Challenge Round in 1922. It is also a record 20th grand slam final for Federer, beating Ivan Lendl's 19.

OTHER CAREER MILESTONES

* Becomes the 23rd man to top the ATP rankings in 2004, and keeps the ranking for a record 237 consecutive weeks.

* Holds a record run of 24 consecutive final victories, which was snapped when he loses 2005 Masters Cup final to David Nalbandian. Finished the season with an 81-4 win-loss record.

* In 2006 he reached all four grand slam finals, winning in Australia, Wimbledon and the U.S. among a haul of 12 titles and a 92-5 win-loss record.

* Has a professional era record of 65 consecutive wins on grass, which was finally snapped by Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon final.

I never doubted his ability to make history. congrate Fed, you are d greatest

Roger federer is the greatest ever.no contest.He will keep winning the grandslams.

You guys are having a laugh right, considering the amount of unforced errors he makes in virtually

every game and still manages to win leaves a question mark abt the quality of his opponents (excluding nadal)


as far as i am concerned Pete Sampras is the greatest tennis player ever period, someone who was forced to retire early due to injury

and can still manage that many grand slams whilst playing some mouth watering tennis, dont get me wrong federer is great but not

the greatest

jalether:

You guys are having a laugh right, considering the amount of unforced errors he makes in virtually
every game and still manages to win leaves a question mark abt the quality of his opponents (excluding nadal)

That is because of his languid style. . . . .U cannot play with that top quality and not cop many unforced errors.
Federer is special.

as far as i am concerned Pete Sampras is the greatest tennis player ever period, someone who was forced to retire early due to injury

Sampras is not the greatest tennis player ever. . . . . .He might go as far as slapping you for making such blasphemy.

and can still manage that many grand slams whilst playing some mouth watering tennis, dont get me wrong federer is great but not
the greatest

How many years did it take Sampras to notch 14 grand slams?
How many years did it take Federer to cop 15 grand slams?
Do the math.

Federer i love you, you are the greatest.

Back as number 1

Sampras what? When Pete himself acknowledged Roger.

Tell Pete to win Roland garros before talking here.

Guess what Sampras never played a Garros final in his whole career

@DK,
abeg tell him o. It was not man that revealed to Pete Sampras to come to Wimbledon after 7 years. It was the spirit of God and the need for closure. Men, yesterday was history and even Rod Laver was there. Those two have won more grandslams than everyone else in the tour put together. Roger's game is complete, even Pete Sampras says so. Besides, Pete never won the french open. It's going to be real work trying to find what record he has to break now because I can't think of any except maybe Pete's 7 wimbledons. Wanna bet against Fed smashing that or at least equalling it?

Pete played against many champions, the best of the best during his reign.

how abt that

jalether:

Pete played against many champions, the best of the best during his reign.

how abt that

who and who has King Fed been playing against ?

novices ? upstarts ? charlatans ?

abeg give it up for the GREATEST OF ALL TIME jare !

FEDEXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

@jalether
And today's players are the welders, carpenters and gigolos in disguise? When last has a tennis player had such consistency at grandslams like King Roger? All sports evolve over time and the new tennis which places so much reliance on scientific methods, regimes, all-round development and sound coaching and tactics rather than raw talent and grit. Do you see Nadal evolved from a claypit to a composite? The transition began when Federer whipped Sampras' butt. That's why A-Rod has more chance of winning another slam instead of dying as a one-slam wonder. Now he has a vast arsenal of shots and not just a booming service game.

Federer is the greatest

I wished he had beaten Nadal in the final rather than Roddick. . . .although Roddick did play very well


RF's the greatest

jaleather,

Tell us who these greats Sampras played. was it Gustavo Kuerten who won several Roland Gaross or Andrei Medvedev or Richard Krycheck or who were the greats? Thomas Muster or michael Chang? Greats that Aggassi came out of retirement to win Slams.

Federer put all the mediocre players in place something Sampras never did. The likes of Nalbandia, Lleyton Hewwit, Marat Safin, Baghdatis, Tommy Haas, Andy Roddick, And murray should think of other career outside of Tennis.

Federer is the best tennis player that ever lived and this coming from a die-hard Nadal fan.

dominic tj:

I never doubted his ability to make history. congrate Fed, you are d greatest

me neither. Lets be frank . . . Nadal is the only reason the guy hasnt won 20 slams by now. If not for Nadal this would be Fed's 7th Wimbledon title in a row, his 4th Roland Garros in a row and he would have been number 1 for the last 5-6 yrs.

Pls doff your hat for Rafa . . . that guy has made tennis watchable.

I agree with David on this if not for Nadal Federer would have won almost every thing like 5 times

He has a way of playing without stressing himself and exerting himself that must be the key to his longevity

Where are the Nalbandians, Safin, Roddick and Hewwits of this world

Federer How many non Latin players do well in Roland Garros like Federer did

federer without a doubt is the greatest ever.his consistency is just phenomenal.

I don't doubt his ability. . . . . but I doubt the level/quality of the opposition out there now; with the exception of just a handful of guys, the rest are just not in it!

Seems like back in the day, there was much more opposition out there - bigger rivalries pretty much like derbies - nowadays !?

Well, not taking anything away from Fed; he's been phenomenal xpecially in these days when the calendar is loaded with so many games to play in a short time.

@Ruudie
True enough, except from Rog-Nadal, I can't think of any other rivalry out there. Roger's just a class above everyone else with Nadal coming a close second. Even when he didn't have a coach, he was doing well. Imagine head to head with A-Rod as 19-2, Soderling 10-0 who were losing finalists in grandslam finals! I have a funny feeling that when Fed retires, Nadal may dominate similarly if he masters the other surfaces like Federer.

davidylan:

me neither. Lets be frank . . . Nadal is the only reason the guy hasnt won 20 slams by now. If not for Nadal this would be Fed's 7th Wimbledon title in a row, his 4th Roland Garros in a row and he would have been number 1 for the last 5-6 yrs.

Pls doff your hat for Rafa . . . that guy has made tennis watchable.

God bless u DAVID

u shall know the truth and the truth shal set u free

amen

HOllA for ROGER. He's the Michael Jackson of Tennis, the Mohhamed Ali of Tennis, The Ronaldinho of Tennis, i dont have to keep going sure u got it already.

I agree with you no doubt. He is absolutely the best.

While I do agree Sampras is not the greatest due to his inability to get past the Semi final at the French Open, I think we will be doing him and the many talented players in his era a disservice, by dismissing the quality of opposition he faced

Sampras dominated on the fast surfaces, when grass played like grass, and the names of specialists on this surface besides Pistol Pete roll off the tongue. Stefan Edberg, one of the meanest serve and volley games out there in the 90's, Goran Ivanisevic, Micheal Stich, Becker.

Besides, tennis popularity reached its zenith in the latter half of the 90's when Sampras and Agassi were having their tug of war over supremacy on the courts.

Nor do I think Federer is the greatest either. I have always felt the mantle of the greatest player should be given to the most complete player, one who can adapt to all the surfaces, as well as cover all the bases in terms of skills, backhand, forehand, serve and volley etc. Federer's backhand is too error prone and especially vulnerable to the high bouncing spin, Nadal's speciality. That this has not been exploited as much by his opponents I think points to his ability to scurry and scamper across the court to release his primary weapon the forehand.

I am loath to admit it, but Nadal has to be the most complete player I have ever seen. When he won Wimbledon last year, he showed an improved serve and great net play. His athleticism is second to none. He can play both flat and spin forehands and backhands very well. His second serve needs improvement but its a minor irritant.

For this all round game, I will have to give the mantle to Nadal.



I bet some anachronistic know-it-all will come now and tout names such as Ivan Lendl, Pat Cash, Bjorn Borg etc.

Tell me who where the greats during Sampras era? Michael Chang? Gustavo Kuerten? or Kalfenikov?

Lleyton Hewwit and Marat Safin who were seen as good players in Sampras era were thrown to the thrash can by Federer.

Federer Is far greater than Sampras who played one French semi while Medvedev, and Kuerten were playing finals

Sampras is farr inferior to Federer

@doyin13

This is not about the "most complete tennis player".  It's about the GREATEST EVER tennis player.  So many things contribute to being a GREAT tennis player, which of course, primarily includes the ability to win grand slams.

Even at that, your 'analysis' is a moot one.  How many grand slams has Nadal's "completeness" won him?

For me, I give it to Roger Federer.  He not only won a record 15 grand slams, he won them all within a relatively short period.  He's simply the greatest player EVER to have handled a tennis racquet.

@Doyin13

na Portsmouth affairs u think say we dey discuss here ?

Fedex is baba jare !

who be Nadal ?

shadyBaba:

HOllA for ROGER. He's the Michael Jackson of Tennis, the Mohhamed Ali of Tennis, The Ronaldinho of Tennis, i dont have to keep going sure u got it already.

The Usain Bolt of Tennis,


If Nadal wants to beat Federer, he must first born him own twin babes.

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