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WIMBLEDON 2009 – MEN’s SINGLES FINAL

Roger Federer played superbly in another final to clinch his sixth Wimbledon and record 15th grand slam against Andy Roddick who also played very  well. Federer controlled his nerve in the amazing fifth set to seal a remarkable 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14 victory on Centre Court as Roddick’s brave resistance was finally broken.

Federer sent 50 aces and was just one short of the Wimbledon record. Roddick was not a favourite going into the match, having lost 18 of his 20 previous matches with Federer, who was seeking a sixth victory at the All England Club and record 15th grand slam title.

But Roddick played  superb tennis and saved four break points in the 11th game. Federer looked certain to lose another game when he trailed 6-2 in the second set tie-break. Roddick had four set points, the first on his own serve, but Federer saved it with a backhand winner and then took the next two on his own serve to make it 6-5. Roddick had one last chance but smashed the ball wide, and Federer pounced to take the next two points – making it six in a row – to snatch the tie-break 8-6 and level the scores.

The match turned in Federer’s favour and the world number two was in dominant form on his serve throughout the third set, dropping just two points.

Federer punished Roddick whenever he missed a first serve and took a 5-2 lead. Roddick took three of the next four points to make it 6-5 but Federer maintained his cool, putting away a forehand winner after an excellent serve to take it 7-5 and a two-sets-to-one lead.

However, Federer was guilty of playing too casually at times and Roddick recovered from 0-30 down in the ninth game to take the set 6-3 , they  had to go through the deciding fifth set.

It was the third year in succession Federer had been taken to five sets in the Wimbledon final  He had the advantage of serving first in the decider and forced Roddick to save a break point in the second game, the only one in the first 16 games.

Finally Roddick created two break points at 8-8, but Federer recovered from 15-40 down to stay in contention.

A forehand error gave Federer his first match point and he forced the American into hitting another forehand shot to finally seal a remarkable 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14 victory and record 15th grand slam title. The Swiss Maestro took the time foer an unbelievable moment to sink in,  in his winning career

Ravi Matah