Grand Slam Man: Roger Federer beats Andy Roddick for record 15th Grand Slam title

7/5/09
roger federer
By Max J. Dickstein

Grand Slam Man: Roger Federer beats Andy Roddick for record 15th Grand Slam title

Photo credit: Game Face

Roger Federer and his sixth Wimbledon trophy. (Getty Images)

By Max J. Dickstein

Roger Federer no longer need chase history; future players will chase him.

The Swiss completed his rise to the apex of tennis yesterday, turning back American challenger Andy Roddick in a wrenching five-set final at Wimbledon, 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14.

Federer’s 15th Grand Slam men’s singles title made him the greatest major champion, surpassing Pete Sampras’ 14 wins. In a surprise, Federer’s predecessor flew to England from California, joining other greats as spectators to history.

The match itself was a Grand Slam first, with a record 77 games played over four hours, 16 minutes. Federer broke serve for the first time on championship point, when Roddick shanked a forehand in the fifth set’s 30th game.

The No. 2-ranked Federer’s historic feat has present ramifications, too. The 27-year-old’s rapid-fire successes this summer, from his first French Open win last month to his sixth Wimbledon title, gave him to the No. 1 ranking, ahead of his Spanish rival, Rafael Nadal, who sat out the tournament with knee trouble.

Roddick, foiled again in his fourth Grand Slam final against Federer, played with controlled brawn from the first serve, defeating all six break points he had faced and weathering Federer’s career-high 50 aces before his shaky final game.

Despite his improved discipline, the 2003 U.S. Open winner blew a 6-2 lead in the first tiebreaker, when he was poised for a two-set edge. Just a few slips in his bold effort dropped Roddick to 2-19 against Federer.
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Grand Slam Man: Roger Federer beats Andy Roddick for record 15th Grand Slam title

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