AFP/Bertrand Guayview photoPARIS (AFP) - Roger Federer gloriously completed a career Grand Slam on Sunday by capturing a first French Open title, and a record-equalling 14th major, with a 6-1, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 win over Robin Soderling.
The 27-year-old world number two finally won a Roland Garros crown at the 11th attempt and in his fourth successive final having come up heartbreakingly short in the last three showdowns against Spanish nemesis Rafael Nadal.
His victory, ironically over the Swedish 23rd seed who shocked four-time Nadal in the last 16, took him level with great friend Pete Sampras as the holder of 14 Grand Slam titles.
He also moved into a select group made up only of Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson and Andre Agassi as men who have won all four of the Grand Slam events.
"It was probably my greatest victory, I was under big pressure. I did it and it's phenomenal," said Federer who broke down in tears after being presented with the trophy by Agassi, the 1999 champion, and while the Swiss national anthem was played.
"It was great to be on the podium as a winner for a change. Andre said it was my destiny to win this and that I deserved it.
view photoFederer, who sent down 16 aces in the final, added: "Until the end of my career, I can play peacefully knowing that I will never again hear it said that I never won Roland Garros."
Soderling, who has now lost 10 times in 10 meetings with Federer, admitted the Swiss was a deserving winner.
view photo"Roger was too good for me today, he played much better. He is a worthy winner and for me he is the best player in history," said Soderling.
"He gave me a lesson in how to play tennis."
AFP/Lionel Bonaventureview photoAny doubts over Federer's ability to overcome his Paris jinx were quickly dashed as the Swiss star, playing in a record-equalling 19th Grand Slam final and riding a tidal wave of support, dominated Soderling.
He broke the first game on a Soderling double fault and was soon a second break to the good to lead 4-0 when a sweetly-timed drop shot left the Swede stranded behind the baseline.
Soderling, the first Swede in the Roland Garros final since his coach Magnus Norman finished runner-up to Gustavo Kuerten in 2000, stopped the rot with a hold to trail 4-1, but Federer quickly nipped further ahead to 5-1.
Soderling's uncompromising forehand, which was a dagger to the heart of Nadal, was looking more like a blunt instrument in the damp and chilly conditions.
His service game crumbled again in the seventh game as Federer claimed the opening set.
It had taken just 23 minutes with the Swiss losing just two points on serve.
The final was then delayed by a worrying security breach during the fourth game of the second set with Federer ahead 2-1.
A spectator, dressed in red, waved a flag of the Barcelona football club in the world number two's face before he was wrestled off Court Philippe Chatrier by security guards.
But the Swiss star wasn't disrupted from his elegant stride, either by the intruder or the rain which started to steadily fall.
Although Soderling slowly rediscovered his service power, it was Federer who was comfortably dictating the points and he fired down four aces in the tie-break to open up a two-sets lead.
He was a break ahead in the third set to lead 1-0 before Soderling carved out, and squandered, his first break point of the match in the fourth game.
Federer then sent down his 16th ace of the tie to stretch to 4-2.
He came out to serve for a place in history but faltered to 30-40 with a wild, running forehand.
With pregnant wife Mirka looking anxiously on, he averted the crisis and went to match point with a confident volley and claimed victory when Soderling netted a service return after 1hr 55min on court.
A tearful Federer slumped to the Paris clay in celebration as he secured his place as arguably the greatest player of all time.
Comment 1 - 12 of 12
How can Eurosport still allow a great idiot like "rc_alcock" in this forum.He has plenty of usernames("robertxxx111" among others),he even managed to nick mine
and might nick yours as well.Eurosport does tolerate stupidity/racism/intolerance and it's a shame.He's gonna carry on polluting this forum thanks to Eurosport...Shame on you Eurosport and shame on you p l o n k e r "rc_alcock".
Fed won the French Open. It is not his fault that Rafa's behind was kicked. That idiotic comments that he did not beat him in the final only show rancor. First he should be there (in the final). Rafa´s fans can speculate whatever they want now. Results speak out for themselves. Just remember the Madrid Open. Everyone was expecting Rafa to win. The pressurer had been on Roger for a long while. to meet Pete´s Record, to achieve a Career Grand Slam. Five straight Wimbledons, five straight US Opens, 3 Australians and now 1 French. You cannot dismiss that no matter what you say. Fed won the French Open with Rafa, Murray, Doko, Gonzo in the tournament. If they lost that is not his fault. If they have not been there in the tournament all nit wits stating that his triumph was of a lesser degree will have a point. Soderling beat Rafa and Fed dismanteld Soderling. Fed won and that put the last nail in the coffin. He is now the GOAT. Sampras himself had conceded that. End of discussion.
By the way. Rafa is a great champion too. He does not make excuses when he lost.
ER
The end to the discussion came today. Roger achieved inmotality status. He showed he can perform under enormous amount of pressure and manage to win 5 sets matches. 4 times in the final of the FO and one win. This ended the question of the GOAT. Sorry for the Rafa fans that were rooting for Fed to lose. And sorry for the ones that stated that Roger will no longer win Slams. Even Samjpras now aknowledges Roger is the GOAT, as well as Agassi and Laver.
Rafa is a great player, a fierce competitor and does not make excuses when he has lost. He he is also humble instead bragging on his vicotries. Dokiovic and Murray are still way behind, and for me they dont got what It takes to be great champions, time will tell but as per today they dont have the hearth nor the manners of a great champion. Rafa is great, but Fed is better over all. I always had been a Fed fan, but there is no point in taking merit off his rivals.
Why oh why do some of those who love Federer, think and say those who don't think the same or in one persons case that we refuse to accept goodness and virtue because we don't have it ourselves. This seems to me to be a little over the top. He is a tennis player not a saint.
Federer is a great player, as I said before, the greatest of his time. No-one can be said to be the best of all time, otherwise there would be no point trying to be better.
I have met several great players including Jimmy Conners who was also polite rather shy and a pleasure to meet. Federer does not have a monopoly in that. He like all of us has his faults. I would like to see him be more gracious in defeat, that to me is a true champion.
He has done an amazing job winning all that he has, and I hope, when he chooses to retire he stays involved in tennis giving back as much as he has received.
@6 - Aaditya - Where did you meet Federer too?? Must of been quite a moment!!
Cheers,
well done roger well done...we have finally seen you lift the french open trophy...congratulations...you deserved it..Bravo
when the dust settles and everyone including people who still argue federers victory was a fluke occurance, the hate federer brigade and the federer fans alike will all smile and tell themselves, this is one great man - love him or hate him, his greatness is unparalled. richly deserved of all this and much more.
god creates some people diffferently mosst of us appreciate greatness when we see, a few envy it and a few refuse to accept goodness and virtue in others because they lack it themselves.
federer haters who still insist federer dint deserve this victory sadly fall in this category. you can pray for them, wish them well and move on.
in the larger scheme of thingss these people dont matter.
what matters more is the stupendous success of this man.
i personally feel lucky to have met him talked to him and taken a pic with him, so self effacing and simple and almost shy was he and he didnt hesitate when we wanted a pic with him.
we are lucky to be able to see history being made.
tomorrow rogers records might be broken by another champion and if we are still around then we should be able to accept the greatness with maturity.
as of now roger rules. love it or shove it - you know where.
Congrats to Roger.... but I have to say I don't think he is the greatest ever. He is the best of his time.
I will always have the thought in my mind that if Rafa hadn't gone out would he have won the title. I suspect he will too.
OK I ADMIT ROGER FEDERER IS THE GREATEST TENNIS PLAYER OF ALL TIME AND I'M A COMPLETE FIRST CLASS PLONKER!!
I LIKE TO PLAY THE "AGENT PROVOCATUR" ;D
HIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHHI
LOVE JESS XXX
OK I ADMIT ROGER FEDERER IS THE GREATEST TENNIS PLAYER OF ALL TIME AND I'M A COMPLETE FIRST CLASS PLONKER!!
I LIKE TO PLAY THE "AGENT PROVOCATUR" ;D
HIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHHI
LOVE JESS XXX
Congrats to both players, Roger for his superb display of tennis and to Robin for his graciousness in defeat. Roger has finally got the French Open monkey off his back. For Robin, let's hope we see more of him contending in the majors. Ultimately, the great winner will be the sport of tennis. Bravo!
after his defeat to Nadal in AO'09, many doubted that Federer will pass ever pass Sampras's record. i remember that time, still Sampras believe that Federer still the best and can break his record.
even Sampras wanted Federer breaks his records, and even Agassi, in interviewed yesterday, wanted Federer to lift the trophy of French open. Aggassi even said, then, FEderer will be even better than me.
in FO'09 Federer writes history and i hope in Wimbledon'09 he will write another history. and i hope he will not get bored soon.
by the way, it's Agassi who delivers the trophy to Federer. a perfect legend to legend...
and, i am very jealous with Parisian crowds. it's second time they witness history. exactly a decade ago with Agassi and now Federer..
bravo..
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