Wimbledon - Federer takes record with epic win
Eurosport - Mon, 06 Jul 08:00:00 2009
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 with consummate ease.
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, as Federer unthinkably out-aced his opponent with a count of 50 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.
The match was the longest ever men's grand slam final in games, clocking up a total of 77 across five sets, and at 16-14 the fifth set was also a record.
Prior to the final 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.
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Comment 372 - 391 of 431
Roger Federer proved that even when he did not play his perfect game, he still had enough quality to hold off Andy Roddick and his near perfect serving game. Andy Roddick would have beaten any body on that serving performance but only Feds nerve, composure, and complete class prevented Roddick taking the title. Nadal may not have made wimbledon but Roddick proved that he was an opponent of the very highest level on the day. Roddick takes my admiration for guts and 110% effort but Fed is the man.
great no more tennis for another year
NADAL IS STILL THE BEST. THE BORING SWISS MUST RETIRE NOW. RODDICK DESERVED THE TITLE. ITS OK HIS WIFE IS NOT FAT, HAHAHA...
THE BORING SWISS DID NOT DESERVE TO WIN. ROD LAVER IS RIGHT, SAMPRAS IS STILL THE BEST. THE GREATEST BORING MUST RETIRE NOW!!!
to Rittick M.... I suspect that you are a federer fan not a nadal fan but either way sorry to tell you that your judgment that federer is the best is absolutely wrong
If Murray were in the Final he would ve beaten this @#$%.Bt Federer should thank Rafa to win Wimbledon once more n pass Pete's record.
As much as people criticise Roddick for his temper on the court and hustling the umpire etc etc, he is definitely one of the players on tour I respect most and applaud. People don't know this about Roddick, he is a true professional and accepts his faults and gives credit to his opponent when it is due. He has a very good guy but its sometimes overshadowed by his outbursts on the court, however, I have noticed that they have reduced and he is more composed...he don't think he broke a racket throughout the tournament, did he?..lol congratulations! and he has a great sense of humor too:)..when Roger told him not to be too sad, that he was down that road last year...he made humor out of it by saying , "Yeah, but you already had five"..lol,...that was nice. Also the thing about, telling Sampras, "Sorry pete I tried to stop him from breaking your record, but I couldn't"...you know? This guy is a real sportsman..despite the pain of losing that tight match, knowing he had at some point in the match, was the most humble gesture i have seen in recent days.
Unfortunately, I wouldn't give the same sentiments to Roger. He is not as humble as people portray him to be, ofcourse, this is my opinion..you may have a different view. He is an emotional guy and this attracts people. However, Emotional and Humble have two very different meanings....they don't always go together.
murray lost his match to roddick because he was not good enough,and never will win wimbledon,trust me,a wonker under pressure.
It was an amazing match but what i found shocking is Andrew Castle's commentry it was unbelievebly bias toward Federer, Roddick was statistically the strongest player right untill the end but you wouldn't have thought so with Castle's views, Come on A Castle either lose the bias in commentry or do us all a favour and stop commentating.
Deb (derbys)
Robert (comment 373) "Andy [Roddick] ... deserves recognition for being the second best US grass player ever after Pete."
Yeah, I guess that having no Wimbledon titles from three attempts is better than McEnroe winning three titles! I'm afraid Robert perhaps you should start your comments "with all due ignorance"! lol!
Federer has proven himself to be the greatest player ever due to his record just as Schumacher is the greatest F1 driver ever (especially as he has won all four Slams which Sampras didn't manage). Nadal still needs to win the US and a lot more Slams before he comes close (and I'm a pretty die hard Nadal fan!)
Everyone knows deep in his heart that claiming federer is the best ever is just a CLAIM when you are NOT THE BEST IN YOUR ERA it is laughable to claim that you are the best ever. Federer is so lucky that he came in the weakest era of tennis but when a decent player emerged he lost time and again to him and he lost comprehensively when he wanted most to win (5 out of 7 GS finals ) when your head to head record with your direct rival is 7-13 that means one thing and one thing only that is your rival is superior than you. period.
Wonderful final! My respect for Roddick is now at an all time high after seeing him 'balls it out' with Federer. However, Sampras arriving late like royalty was poor form. He should have been there at the beginning to show respect for two fine players.
Also, as much as I like Boris Becker, the BBC should have given the commentary to John MacEnroe, the best and most perceptive commentator by a mile. I loved his comment about being speechless when a certain young lady was shaking her charms last week.
Wonderful final! My respect for Roddick is now at an all time high after seeing him 'balls it out' with Federer. However, Sampras arriving late like royalty was poor form. He should have been there at the beginning to show respect for two fine players.
Also, as much as I like Boris Becker, the BBC should have given the commentary to John MacEnroe, the best and most perceptive commentator by a mile. I loved his comment about being speechless when a certain young lady was shaking her charms last week.
Roddick should be proud of what it took to get there and his effort on the day - he left nothing out there on the court.
If a man trains harder and is more gifted naturally then why should he be humble in victory. The slams he wins is only down to all the hard work he puts in so good luck to him and i hope federer wins many more to come.
No doubt Fedex is the greatest evah. I feel sorry for roddick loosing to RF in the finals for the 3rd time. Keep ur head up rod, the way your playing, your name will be on that cup one day.. just like goran did.
Interesting though when some still consider Nadal as the better player when he did not make it in the semis or final in the French and could not participate in Wimbledon because of injuries, which is part of playing in professional tennis..And I'm only talking about this year..Roger already has 2 grandslams and Nadal only has 1, and Roger is now #1 in the rankings..very interesting..
Again we have witnessed a great game,both players have shown tenacity and the heart to go on,both players have raised the level of their game,but at the end,RF has something more to produce, a quality of true champion,he consistently shown during the last 14 slam,his performance is truly amazing,the king of Tennis is back............Congratulation RF for your 15th slam..
Roger should have taken the first set. RF just has too many shots and mental toughness. Most importantly, he deserves to be Champion of the "Gentleman's" tournament. He is exactly what I would want my boys to be when they grown up.
I feel really bad for Roddick. He really blew his chance to finally beat RF at Wimbledon. Like everyone else, I was expecting RF to easily win this but I was really surprised and impressed by how well Andy played. The 2nd set tie-breaker was so crucial. If he hadn't shanked that back hand volley at 6-2 and gone up 2 sets, he would have had the momentum to go on and win it, I'm absolutely certain of it. Unfortunately, he's going to be thinking about that shot for the rest of his life. Sometimes luck is cruel but its part of the game and RF certainly has had plenty of it over the last 2 Grand Slams, with no Nadal and not having to play a single rival in both on his way to victory. In the end, history only remembers how many GSs you win, not who beat (or didn't play) to get there. RF will be regarded from now on as the GOAT.
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